NRI-led Varkey Group Celebrates 50 Years in Dubai; Announces Ambitious Expansion Plans for India

To Provide Quality Education for 5 Million Students Across the World by 2024

DUBAI, UAE, January 12 - The Varkey Group, owned and managed by non-resident Indian
entrepreneur Sunny Varkey, has announced ambitious expansion plans for India
and other international markets.

(Photo:
www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100112/373991 )

Celebrating 50 years of flag-bearing success in education and
healthcare in the UAE, the Group which includes the private K12 education
operator GEMS Education and the healthcare brands Welcare and City Hospitals,
plans to provide quality education for five million students across the world
by 2024.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice
President and Prime Minister of the UAE and the Ruler of Dubai, who was the
guest of honour at the celebratory event, commended the role played by the
Varkey family in contributing to building private education and healthcare
infrastructure across the UAE.

Sunny Varkey, Chairman, said the Varkey Group aims to become
the undisputed global pioneer and the number one education brand in the
world. "With our 2024 expansion plan we are flying the flag for Dubai and the
UAE as a pioneering international business."

He said India will play a principal role in leading the
Group's global expansion. "India is one of the key destinations, where we
already lead several educational initiatives including 17 schools in major
cities. We plan to own or manage over 100 schools in India over the next few
years."

Recipient of the Padma Shri award and Rajiv Gandhi Award for
Eminent Educationist, Sunny transformed 'Our Own English High School,' the
school set up by his parents, Mariamma Varkey and late K. S. Varkey, 50 years
ago in Dubai, into a global enterprise through his acumen, vision and dynamic
leadership.

In 1998, the Group expanded into healthcare with the Welcare
Hospital, an advanced medical facility, which was the first hospital outside
the US to have lab facilities certified by John Hopkins University. The City
Hospital, a multidisciplinary speciality hospital, opened in Dubai in 2008.

GEMS Education provides high quality schooling for more than
100,000 students from 125 countries across three continents. It employs over
9,000 education professionals, specialists and staff from around the world.

The Varkey GEMS Foundation, a philanthropic trust founded by
Sunny, introduced the Guruvar Awards in India where the winners receive over
US$500,000 collectively. The programme honours over 144,000 teachers in about
3,000 schools across 45 cities in India.

    For more information, please contact:

    Hiba Al Hafidh / Sara Hamam
    ASDA'A Burson-Marsteller
    PO Box 28063, Dubai, UAE
    Tel: +971-4-334-4550
    Email: h.alhafidh@asdaa.com / s.hamam@asdaa.com

Photo:
www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100112/373991

For more information, please contact: Hiba Al Hafidh / Sara Hamam, ASDA'A Burson-Marsteller, PO Box 28063, Dubai, UAE, Tel: +971-4-334-4550, Email: h.alhafidh at asdaa.com / s.hamam at asdaa.com .