Alpha G:Corp & Global Education Management Systems (GEMS) Tie-up in Karnal

Global Education Management Systems (GEMS), the World’s largest provider of private education in the K-12 segment have partnered with Alpha G:Corp Development Private Limited, one of the fastest growing professional real estate companies in India, to set up an international school at Karnal in the State of Haryana. The school would be located within the Alpha International City, Karnal, and will be spread over an 8-acre campus.

Alpha International City, Karnal offers the ideal residential environment, spread across 300+ acres of plotted development, and backed by benchmark, world-class infrastructure and civic amenities. The residential development will be followed by retail, commercial, educational and healthcare developments to deliver an integrated self-contained township of truly global standards. The Primary school by GEMS would be operational by 2010. Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Prodipta Sen, VP, Marketing & Corporate Affairs, Alpha G:Corp said “Alpha International City, Karnal is an integrated township located ideally in Karnal, in sectors 28 and 29 of HUDA on the National Highway. As part of our endeavor to provide top quality infrastructure and facilities to our residents, we are delighted to announce our collaboration with GEMS as a giant step towards bringing world-class environment in education to the rapidly growing neighborhood of Karnal."

Morgan Stanley Real Estate invested Rs. 300 crores in Alpha G:Corp in July 2006, to commence their investment program in Indian real estate, thereby also opening fresh fields of opportunity for Alpha G:Corp. Since the divestment to Morgan Stanley, the company’s value has grown further following its recent USD 150m acquisition of landholding real estate companies. Alpha G:Corp has retained Ernst & Young for appraisal of investment offers by some of the world’s leading PE funds in the near future.

In India since 2005, GEMS manages a growing network of schools with seven schools running successfully across the country in the States of Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Rajasthan and Jharkhand. GEMS manage three schools in the Punjab region in Jalandhar, Dasuya and Kapurthala and after seeing the great response to quality education in the State, their promoters have committed to GEMS to manage more schools in the Northern region. The launch of the school in Karnal at the Alpha International City, Karnal township would also mark GEMS’ first owned school in the country.

The GEMS network of schools provide infrastructure of international standards by way of their commitment to setting solid foundations for all their students’ growth as global citizens. GEMS schools provide quality education irrespective of various fee points thus catering to a cross section of the society. The fee, depending upon the category of the school, ranges between Rs. 3,000 a month to Rs. 10 lakhs per annum (for a Boarding school). Although their schools have different ownership across the country, yet the philosophy is uniform across all the schools. On an average every school will have 2,500 students with a teacher student ratio varying between 1:10 to 1:25. In Alpha International City, the school will be owned and operated by GEMS.

About GEMS:
GEMS (Global Education Management Systems) is headquartered in Dubai and is the World’s largest provider of private education in the K-12 segment. The holding company of GEMS is the Varkey Group which is owned by the Indian origin, Varkey family that has over 48 years of success in providing World-class education. GEMS network of schools provides a unique brand of holistic education to nearly 75,000 students from 124 countries. They are the largest employers of British and Indian teachers outside their home countries. GEMS employs 5,800 education professionals, specialists and staff from over 50 nationalities. Supported by a network of eminent, international advisors in the field of education, such as HRH Prince Michael of Kent and Mr. Shashi Tharoor, to name a few GEMS global network of multi-skilled specialists and in-house experts provide invaluable support and guidance in all areas related to schools, delivering World class standards of education.

GEMS have a long-term commitment to India and as part of their expansion process, the Company plans to open 100 schools across India in the next 5 years, with investment in excess of Rs. 250 Crores. GEMS planned foray in India with their Premium Schools has been largely encouraged by the buoyant Indian economy. GEMS recognizes that teachers are the most crucial resource necessary and are intensively investing in teachers training facilities that would train around 2000 teachers annually.

GEMS have a very strong culture of social responsibility. In the Middle East, their philanthropy is notable with programs like DUBAI CARES. For India, GEMS joined hands with the NGO Pratham and contributed £250,000 in a charitable event held in London to augment education for street children in India. Pratham originated in the slums of Mumbai in 1994 with the aim of improving the lives of underprivileged children in India and works towards the realization of universal primary education under the guidance of a Board that comprises social workers, educationists and philanthropists including Mr. Sunny Varkey, Chairman of GEMS. “The philosophy of improving the lives of the underprivileged children will be extended to the villages neighboring Alpha International City of Karnal and will form an integral part of carrying out together the social responsibility as sensitive corporate citizens,” added Mr. Prodipta Sen of Alpha G Corp.

”GEMS Education with its illustrious history of over four decades, has emerged as the World leader in private education in the K – 12 segments. Our growing numbers of over 75,000 children worldwide, who are being diligently nurtured as global citizens are a proud reminder of our immense responsibility,” said Mr. Manish Kumar Baheyti, Director, Business Development.