Your visionary leadership, and setting up the GSF group from a single campus in Singapore in 2002 to nearly 70 campuses across 12 countries today has been truly remarkable, which is now also a globally recognized institution. What do you consider the key factors behind this extraordinary growth and impact in the education sector nationally, in your origin country and globally.

True educational transformation is not just about expansion it is about creating a lasting impact on students, communities and societies. When we started in 2002 with a single school in Singapore, our vision was clear: to build an institution that nurtures future-ready learners while remaining culturally rooted and globally competent. Today, with 64 campuses across 11 countries, our journey has been shaped by a commitment to excellence, adaptability, and innovation.

Several key factors have driven this extraordinary growth and impact mainly our strong values and our far-sighted vision.

We work on the principle that education should impart knowledge and build character. We envisioned a system that would empower students with global competencies while ensuring they remain connected to their cultural heritage. This vision was first realised in Singapore, before being embraced globally.

While we scaled, our second principle was to not compromise on Quality. Our success in this area stems from a structured, data-driven approach that ensures every new campus upholds the same high standards of teacher experience, technology integration and a holistic approach. For example, our flagship GIIS SMART Campus in Singapore serves as a benchmark for innovation, with its AI-driven learning analytics, digital classrooms, and interdisciplinary curricula imparted by world class educators.

And lastly, even with a global approach we did not lose touch with the local traditions. Our campuses operate in diverse regions, and we ensure that education is contextualised to the socio-cultural and economic dynamics of each location. This dual focus allows us to be both globally relevant and locally responsive.

These principles have let GSG set a benchmark for what 21st-century learning should look like. Today, our alumni lead innovation in Fortune 500 companies, pursue groundbreaking research at Ivy League universities, and drive change in their communities a testament to the transformative power of a truly world-class education.

GSF operates across diverse regions, including ASEAN, Asia, and the Middle East. How does GSF traverse cultural shifts across these geographical domains while also addressing the unique economic challenges in each region?

Operating across diverse regions from ASEAN to the Middle East presents both an opportunity and a responsibility. The opportunity lies in bringing global best practices to varied educational landscapes, while the responsibility is to deliver bespoke education attuned to local cultures, economic conditions, and societal expectations. GSG's ability to navigate these complexities is rooted in a strategic blend of localisation, adaptability, and innovation.

We make sure that when we commence in a new geography, our schools integrate local educators alongside international faculty, ensuring that students benefit from global exposure while staying connected to their cultural roots. Education is not one-size-fits-all; each region has its own learning traditions, parental expectations, and regulatory frameworks. At GSG, we follow a glocal approach blending international standards with local insights.

This is combined with curriculum adaptability. While we offer internationally recognised programmes such as IB, Cambridge, and Montessori, we also incorporate national curricula like CBSE and ICSE to cater to regional higher education systems. In India, our focus on STEM-driven CBSE programmes equips students for national competitive exams. In Singapore, our Cambridge-infused middle years programme supports academic rigour that makes higher education at par with local standards. This ensures that students receive a world-class education while staying aligned with university admission pathways in their home countries.

Education is not one-size-fits-all; each region has its own learning traditions, parental expectations, and regulatory frameworks. At GSG, we follow a glocal approach blending international standards with local insights.

We are also aware that economic conditions may vary across countries, and we believe that financial constraints should never be a barrier to quality education. Our merit-based and need-based scholarships empower students from diverse socio-economic backgrounds, enabling them to access cutting-edge learning resources, global faculty, and extracurricular opportunities.

In regions where affordability is a challenge, we have introduced flexible payment structures and education grants, making premium education more accessible.

Continuous evolution is also required through Community Engagement and technological equity to build on our outreach. We believe in active engagement with educational boards, policymakers, and local communities to align our educational offerings with national priorities. Then we live up to expectations through actions. Technology allows us to bridge educational gaps across regions, ensuring equitable access to high-quality learning.

With 23 years of excellence as an iconic institution, GSF has witnessed the evolution of multiple generations from Gen Z to Gen Alpha, and now Gen Beta. How do you nurture these learners and equip them to be future-ready? Additionally, what opportunities and challenges do you see in ensuring future generations remain highly competitive and relevant in an ever-evolving world?

At Global Schools Group, we don't just prepare students for the world as it is we prepare them for the world as it could be. Through an education model built on curiosity, adaptability, and innovation, learners are empowered not just to adapt to the future but to actively shape it.

Over the years, as one generation has given way to the next, we've seen profound shifts in how students learn and what they aspire to become. Gen Z experienced the digital transformation of learning; Gen Alpha was born into it. Now, with Gen Beta stepping in, their world is even more deeply intertwined with artificial intelligence, automation, and global connectivity. This evolution demands that education move beyond rote instruction to become more personalised, integrated, and deeply human.

Today's learners thrive in environments that are responsive, interactive, and purpose-driven. With the help of AI-powered platforms and immersive learning tools, we create spaces where students engage with content in ways that resonate with their digital fluency. Whether exploring virtual science labs or participating in cross-campus collaborative projects, students experience learning as an active, connected process.

Fostering an entrepreneurial mindset is also critical. The future workforce will be shaped by individuals who can think originally, solve problems creatively, and pivot quickly. Students are encouraged to engage in initiatives like the Company of the Year competition, Hackathons, Model United Nations, and design thinking challenges where they grapple with real-world issues from reimagining urban sustainability to exploring the ethical boundaries of AI in healthcare.

We also believe the future belongs to those who can see the connections between disciplines. A learner developing an AI algorithm may be encouraged to explore its psychological impact, social implications, or philosophical underpinnings. This kind of interdisciplinary learning fosters more holistic, ethical, and innovative thinkers those who can approach complex global issues with both technical expertise and human understanding.

And yet, it's not just about intellectual preparedness. As automation reshapes industries and algorithms take over routine tasks, the qualities that will define true leadership are empathy, resilience, and ethical judgement. Through initiatives like the Leadership Lecture Series, mentorship programmes like Global Schools Sheykhar Ravjiani School of Music, and community outreach programmes, we nurture students as emotionally intelligent, grounded individuals who are ready to lead with both heart and mind.

Looking ahead, the opportunities are vast - AI, sustainability, and the global digital economy promise to redefine industries and create entirely new ones. But these advancements also bring challenges: the need for lifelong learning, the pressure to continuously upskill, and the imperative to stay rooted in human values amid rapid technological change.

Our role is to strike a careful balance equipping students with the tools to excel in a tech-driven world, while ensuring they never lose their capacity for original thought, ethical reflection, and meaningful human connection. That is how future readiness becomes more than a goal it becomes a mindset.

As technology continues to revolutionize education, how is GSF preparing students for a digital future? Additionally, how do you leverage online platforms and emerging technologies to enrich and enhance the learning experience across GSF schools?

Technology is a fundamental driver of how we reimagine education for the future. We believe that the integration of advanced digital tools should not only make learning more effective, but also more meaningful, inclusive, and future-facing.

Artificial intelligence actively shapes how students learn in our classrooms. Through adaptive learning platforms, we're able to tailor instruction to each child's unique pace and needs, helping them overcome challenges and build on their strengths.

From a young age, our students are introduced to coding and robotics not just to familiarise them with technology, but to inspire them to become creators of it. We see this as essential preparation for a future where digital fluency will be as fundamental as literacy.

Ultimately, our aim is not just to teach students how to use technology, but to empower them to shape it with imagination, ethics, and purpose. At GSG, we are building not just future-ready learners, but future ready leaders.

Having dedicated over two decades to the education sector, your perspective on education must have evolved significantly. How has your understanding of education changed over time, and how has this transformation shaped the current 'Mission' and 'Vision' of GSF?

What began as a focus on content delivery and academic benchmarks has evolved into a broader, more human-centred vision one that recognises education not merely as a system but as a living, lifelong experience that shapes individuals, influences communities, and drives the progress of society itself.

Earlier, the emphasis was largely on knowledge acquisition on ensuring students could master content, memorise facts, and perform well on standardised assessments. However, as the world changed driven by automation and shifting socioeconomic landscapes it became clear that this model was no longer sufficient. Education had to move beyond the textbook.

Today, the shift from content to competency has become a central tenet of our philosophy. We no longer ask just, “What do students know?” but “What can they do with what they know?” Critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and adaptability are now as vital as subject knowledge. For instance, in our classrooms, students may explore mathematics not just through equations, but by applying them in designing sustainable urban solutions or analysing real-world data sets to understand climate trends.

Equally transformative has been the move from teacher-centric to student-centric learning. In the past, the classroom revolved around the teacher as the sole authority and source of information. Today, we see teachers as facilitators guides who empower students to question, discover, and construct their own understanding. Through project-based learning, peer collaboration, and inquiry-led discussions, students are encouraged to take ownership of their learning journeys. Whether it's a Grade 5 student presenting a self-initiated research project on renewable energy, or an IB student debating the ethics of gene editing, learners are actively shaping their educational experience.

Another profound evolution has been the recognition of holistic development. Academic excellence remains a priority, but it no longer stands alone. Emotional intelligence, resilience, compassion, and a sense of global responsibility have become equally essential. We actively nurture these traits through a variety of initiatives ranging from mindfulness practices in our classrooms to international collaborations and student-led social impact campaigns. In one example, our students from Red Cross Youth GIIS Chapter, in our Singapore campus raised funds through a Bake Sale initiative to help the civilians affected by the earthquake that struck Morocco last year, combining service learning with real-world application of interdisciplinary knowledge.

Moreover, the once-linear progression from school to university to career has given way to a reality defined by lifelong learning. Students today will navigate multiple careers and industries, many of which don't even exist yet. That's why we champion a growth mindset and offer opportunities for continuous upskilling from coding in primary school to entrepreneurship incubators and cross-campus virtual exchanges that expose students to global perspectives and emerging fields.

These shifts have deeply informed and shaped the Mission and Vision of the Global Schools Group.

We are committed to nurturing ethical, globally minded individuals who are not just prepared for the future but equipped to shape it. Our vision is centred on innovation, inclusivity, and excellence. By staying ahead of global educational shifts and staying rooted in values that endure, we continue to build an ecosystem where students don't just succeed they thrive, they lead, and they leave a mark.

Given your distinguished experience in both corporate and educational leadership, how do you integrate business strategies into the management of GSF while ensuring that the institution remains steadfast in its core educational objectives?

Leading a global education institution like GSG calls for a nuanced approach one that blends the rigour of strategic business thinking with the heart and soul of education.

While our purpose is rooted in nurturing young minds, the scale and complexity of our operations demand the sophistication of a global enterprise. My corporate background has enabled me to bring strategic foresight, process discipline, and a culture of innovation into the education space without ever losing sight of our core mission: delivering meaningful, values-driven learning experiences that shape futureready individuals.

One of the most critical challenges in scaling education globally is maintaining consistent quality. At GSG, we address this through a structured framework of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) that serve as the foundation for our academic and administrative functions. These SOPs ensure that whether a parent walks into a campus in Tokyo, Dubai, or Singapore, they encounter the same commitment to excellence, care, and innovation.

At the same time, we deeply value local relevance. Our campuses are encouraged to embrace the cultural richness of their communities through regional languages, local festivals, and outreach initiatives.

Much like any forward-thinking organisation, we prioritise financial prudence and long-term sustainability. Yet we remain deeply conscious that education is not a commodity it is a profoundly human endeavour. Our pricing models are designed to make quality education accessible, while still allowing us to invest significantly in world-class infrastructure, faculty development, and immersive learning experiences.

Our reinvestment strategy is aligned with our vision of continuous improvement. From smart classrooms and innovation labs to co-curricular spaces that nurture creativity and well-being, we create environments that evolve with the needs of today's learners just as agile enterprises do with their customers.

In the business world, innovation drives market leadership. In education, it drives relevance. That's why we invest not only in pedagogical R&D, but also in the tools, environments, and platforms that enhance how students learn and teachers teach.

Our stakeholder ecosystem students, parents, teachers, alumni, industry experts, and community leaders is central to how we operate. We engage this community not just through regular dialogue, but through collaboration. From parent and alumni events to industry linked learning modules and university fairs, we ensure that our schools remain not just academically strong but meaningfully connected to the real world.

In the end, this isn't about turning education into a business. It's about drawing from the best practices of business to strengthen the mission of education. Strategic thinking helps us scale with integrity, operate with efficiency, and innovate with purpose.

The education landscape is constantly evolving. How do you envision GSG adapting to these changes, and what are your aspirations for the institution in the years ahead?

Education can no longer be one-size-fits-all; it must cater to individual strengths, interests, and aspirations. That is why Personalised learning is at the core of our approach.

We continuously try to ensure that learning is dynamic, adaptive, and tailored to each student. Whether through performance tracking, or guidance from experienced teachers we are redefining how students engage with knowledge.

The future job market will be defined by interdisciplinary expertise, problem-solving abilities, and an entrepreneurial spirit. Our curriculum incorporates real-world applications and with the ability to think critically, innovate, and lead. Whether it's launching student-led clubs, or engaging in social impact initiatives, we prepare students to be job creators rather than job seekers.

Equally important is our commitment to fostering global citizens who are conscious of their role in shaping a better world. Sustainability, ethics, and social responsibility are embedded into our learning framework, ensuring that students develop not only academic excellence but also a deep sense of purpose.

The future of education is increasingly borderless, and GSG is at the forefront of this transformation. We envision a global learning ecosystem where students from different geographies collaborate, innovate, and learn together. Through digital learning platforms, cross-campus research initiatives, and international student exchanges, we are creating a truly interconnected educational experience that prepares students for the complexities of a globalised world.

Looking ahead, our aspiration for GSG is to set new global benchmarks for educational excellence and innovation. We aim to build a network of lifelong learners students, alumni, and educators who drive progress across industries and communities. In the coming years, we will expand our global footprint, introduce pioneering models of education, and continue to redefine what it means to be truly futureready.

Education is not just about preparing students for the world it is about preparing them to shape it. At GSG, we remain committed to ensuring that every student is equipped not just to succeed in the future, but to lead it.

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