GEMS Education today announced that Sir Anthony Seldon, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Buckingham, is the new official adviser for its premium brand of British schools in the UAE. This will enable students with the unprecedented opportunity to gain valuable insights from one of Britain’s leading contemporary historians, educationalists and political authors. Seldon was previously the 13th Master of Wellington College in the UK for a decade. He will also be helping GEMS Education’s premium schools to develop an innovative ecosystem by adopting Artificial Intelligence (AI) in coordination with the University of Buckingham.
Innovation at GEMS Education schools is defined as ‘growing by learning and pursuing excellence.’ Students across all the schools are enabled to approach learning in new and creative ways to achieve better outcomes. The premium schools will enable student’s learning within an inclusive environment which will inspire them to succeed in the context of meaningful real-life learning experiences.
In his career over three decades Seldon has played a crucial role in enabling thousands of student’s secure positions to Ivy league schools. His exceptional expertise will take GEMS Education’s premium school to new heights. Among his key roles is helping GEMS Education leverage the power of artificial intelligence for educational services across its network in coordination with the University of Buckingham.
Sunny Varkey, Founder and Chairman, GEMS Education, said: “We are delighted to work with Sir Anthony Seldon, who brings a wealth of experience from two of the UK’s leading colleges. With several student-led innovations, GEMS Education premium schools have set benchmarks for academic excellence and underlined its position as leading schools in the country. He shares our belief that every learner deserves an education that not only develops them academically, but also builds their character and well-being. We place significant emphasis on values-led education throughout our network of schools. Students at our schools, will be able to gain valuable insight from Sir Anthony.”
Sir Anthony Seldon, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Buckingham said: “I am pleased to have joined hands with GEMS Education, a highly-regarded choice for quality private education across the globe. The UAE is leading the way in providing education that supports well-being, one of my key enthusiasms, as well as academic success and GEMS Education is at the forefront. The partnership with the University of Buckingham is aligned with the GEMS Education vision and innovative approach to learning, providing all students with authentic and innovative learning experiences that will foster the development of the 21st century relevant skills for the future job market.”
Sir Anthony was appointed Vice-Chancellor of The University of Buckingham in 2015. Prior to that he was a transformative head for 20 years, first of Brighton College and then Wellington College. He is author or editor of over 40 books on contemporary history, including the inside books on the last five Prime Ministers. He was the co-founder and first director of the Institute for Contemporary British History; is co-founder of Action for Happiness; honorary historical adviser to 10 Downing Street; UK Special Representative for Saudi Education; a member of the Government’s First World War Culture Committee. Currently, he is also a director of the Royal Shakespeare Company; the President of IPEN, (International Positive Education Network) and co-founder of The Institute for Ethical AI in Education; Chair of the National Archives Trust, and patron or on the board of several charities in addition to being the founder of the Via Sacra Western Front Walk. He was founder of the G20 Schools and G20 Universities group. He was chair of the Comment Awards and was executive producer of the 2017 film Journey’s End. He appeared on the Desert Island Discs in 2016. For the last 15 years he has given all his money from writing, consulting and lecturing to charity.
