Sunny Varkey and Gautam Adani are reshaping the landscape of international private education. With plans to open twenty new schools in India and strengthen GEMS Education’s already dominant presence in Dubai, this collaboration reflects the growing demand for world-class schooling options and the growing intersection of entrepreneurship and education.
GEMS Education began with a single school in Dubai, established by the parents of Sunny Varkey in 1968. Over the decades, it has grown into one of the largest private school networks globally, with 92 institutions serving around one hundred sixty-eight thousand students in eight countries. The brand’s success is rooted in its emphasis on quality, innovation and inclusivity.
Sunny Varkey, a billionaire entrepreneur with deep roots in education, built this empire with a vision to make quality schooling accessible to a broad audience, combining multiple curriculams including British, American, IB and Indian.
In a significant move, Sunny Varkey is collaborating with Gautam Adani to bring the GEMS model to India. Through a 50-50 joint venture, the Adani Foundation has pledged ₹2,000 crore to establish 20 schools across the country over the next 3 years.
These schools will offer 30% of seats to underprivileged students free of cost. The first institution under this collaboration, Adani GEMS School of Excellence, has already started operations in Lucknow. This partnership symbolises a broader ambition to build a scalable and inclusive education model in India.
Read More: What Is the History of the Adani Group? - Evolution Since 1988.
Even as GEMS expands in India, the core focus remains on the United Arab Emirates. Sunny Varkey has allocated $300 million for growth within the region. A key upcoming launch is the GEMS School of Research and Innovation in Dubai Sports City, a campus designed to feature advanced AI facilities, robotics labs, and even a helipad.
Dubai’s population is expected to double by 2040, leading to a surge in demand for high-quality private schools. GEMS currently holds 26% of the city’s education market, with over 1,00,000 students across 28 institutions.
The global appeal of GEMS is reflected in its successful fundraising initiatives. In June 2024, a consortium led by Brookfield Asset Management invested $2 billion in the company. GEMS also secured a $3.3 billion loan from leading banks in the UAE, which was used to repay existing debt and enhance financial stability.
This influx of capital enables Varkey to focus on further innovation, digital expansion, and infrastructure upgrades. The education group has also launched a consulting arm to support government and private institutions in managing and scaling educational operations.
While GEMS has enjoyed considerable success, Varkey acknowledges earlier missteps, especially in greenfield ventures in regions like Kenya and Singapore. He now prefers asset-light models and acquisition-based strategies.
The COVID-19 pandemic was a significant stress test for the business, but GEMS rebounded by leveraging digital education platforms and restoring services like transportation and catering.
GEMS is poised to shape the next chapter in global education. With over 6,00,000 job applications received annually and nearly 24,000 staff members, the company is regarded as a desirable employer.
The group's new School Support Centre in Dubai, backed by a ₹400 crore investment, focuses on talent development, performance audits and education consulting. This marks a shift towards a more diversified and sustainable growth model.
Sunny Varkey’s GEMS Education is not just a school network but a dynamic global brand redefining the future of private education. With strong backing from partners like Gautam Adani and Brookfield, GEMS is building a cross-continental education ecosystem rooted in quality, scalability and inclusivity.
Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. This does not constitute a personal recommendation or investment advice. It does not aim to influence any individual or entity to make investment decisions. Recipients should conduct their own research and assessments to form an independent opinion about investment decisions.
Investments in the securities market are subject to market risks. Read all the related documents carefully before investing.
Published on: Jun 5, 2025, 2:15 PM IST
Team Angel One
We're Live on WhatsApp! Join our channel for market insights & updates
Get the link to download the App
