Dubai, UAE: November 22, 2012: In the presence of His Excellency Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, UAE Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Mr Sunny Varkey, Founder and Chairman of GEMS Education, has been awarded an honorary degree (Doctor of the University) by Heriot-Watt University.  The award is made in recognition of his contribution and achievements in the development and accessibility of education internationally.

Mr Varkey received the award in recognition for his work from Professor Steve Chapman, Principal and Vice-chancellor of Heriot-Watt University, at the Heriot-Watt University Dubai Campus 2012 graduation ceremony.  Professor Chapman said, "I was delighted to confer this honour on Sunny Varkey who is a visionary entrepreneur in the field of education. He has developed a formula for creating schools of excellence, delivering an enterprising blend of high quality education. At the heart of his vision is a passionate belief that all children have a right to a quality education and his philanthropic commitments have helped improve the lives of thousands."

Sunny Varkey has been a key figurehead in the development of education in the UAE, forging alliances between education and entrepreneurship internationally through GEMS Education. He has developed a global network of award-winning international schools, which span nine countries, reaching 110,000 students from 151 different nationalities. The GEMS school model is unique in the world because it offers a range of private schools from affordable to premium. also provides support to improve the quality of education in government schools globally. He is also responsible for directing the activities of the Varkey GEMS Foundation, the philanthropic arm of GEMS Education. The Foundations aim is to impact 100 underprivileged children for every child enrolled in a GEMS school. The Foundations Honorary Chair is former US President, Bill Clinton.

Professor Ammar Kaka, Vice-Principal, Dubai Campus and Head of Heriot-Watt University Dubai Campus, said, "Today Heriot-Watt University joins many other organisations in recognising the enormous contribution Sunny Varkey has made to global education." 

Sunny Varkey joins Professor Peter Higgs and a number of other distinguished individuals who received honorary degrees at Heriot-Watt Unversity's Edinburgh Campus this month. A full listing of the honorary graduates can be found online at www.hw.ac.uk

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About Heriot-Watt University
Heriot-Watt University specialises in subjects across science, technology, engineering, business and design, with a particular focus on developing solutions to critical global issues, such as climate change and energy.

Heriot-Watt University is ranked in the top 4% of universities worldwide.

Established in 1821, it has campuses in Edinburgh, the Scottish Borders, Orkney and Dubai, and is investing in a new campus in Malaysia in partnership with Putrajaya Holdings.

In the most recent UK Research Assessment Exercise (2008), 50% of Heriot-Watt research was assessed as world leading or internationally excellent and 87% was rated as of at least international quality.

The Sunday Times University Guide 2013

  • Scottish University of the Year 2012/13, for the second year running

  • UK University of the Year for student experience

  • Number 9 in the UK overall

National Student Survey 2012

  • Number 1 in Scotland (up from Number 3 last year) (based on responses from full-time degree students (excluding part-time and non-degree students) and "agree" responses across all 22 questions of NSS)

  • Number 4 in UK universities (up from Number 29 last year)

  • In the Top 10 for graduate employment in the UK - over 94% of graduates in employment or further study within six months of graduation

  • Top in UK for Chemical Engineering, Psychology and Planning

International

  • Heriot-Watt University is Scotland's international university. 

  • Over 34% of its students studying in Scotland come from outside the UK - the largest proportion in Scotland.

  • In addition to the 8,000 students based in Scotland, the University delivers degree programmes to 11,900 students in 150 countries around the world. 

  • Heriot-Watt University is 1st in Scotland and 5th in the UK, in terms of the scale of its transnational educational provision, which includes the University's Dubai Campus and a network of 50 universities and colleges delivering Heriot-Watt degrees in 30 different countries as Approved Learning Partners.

  • Almost half of all Scottish degrees awarded to students studying overseas are from Heriot-Watt University.

  • As well as offering opportunities for independent learners to study in their own country, Heriot-Watt University has 50 partner universities and colleges in over 35 countries, providing tuition support for students enrolled overseas.

  • Heriot-Watt University has been operating a full branch campus in Dubai since 2005.  The First Minister of Scotland opened the new £35 million Dubai Campus in 2011.  Currently over 3,000 students are studying on the Heriot-Watt University Dubai Campus.

Media Contact:
Ancy Alexander
Fifth Ring for Heriot-Watt University
ancy.alexander@fifthring.com / +971 4 372 0100

© Press Release 2012