‘Intelligence plus character - that is the goal of true education’, declared Martin Luther King, Jr. This statement certainly appears to have found resonance with Mohan Valrani, who, as one of Dubai’s leading businessmen, is now focusing upon his latest venture: that of creating a lifelong educational legacy within the emirate.
After decades spent at the forefront of Dubai’s dynamic business scene, Mohan has now turned his attention towards founding Arcadia Schools in the belief that private enterprise within the field of education holds an important place in the future of the UAE. “With more and more expat families settling in Dubai and making their long-term plans for the future here, it’s no longer the transient society of 50 years ago when I first arrived,” he says.
Born in 1940, Mohan displayed an impressive aptitude for finance and business at a young age. After graduating he moved to Hong Kong to work for his uncle before relocating to Dubai in 1966 to expand the family business in the Middle East, a move which proved to be most fortuitous. Shortly after arriving Mohan joined hands with Abdulla Al Shirawi, a prominent and influential Emirati businessman. The two formed a lasting friendship which served as the basis for an extraordinarily successful business collaboration in the shape of Al Shirawi Trading and Contracting. Fast-forward to 2016 and Al Shirawi Group is today one of the largest conglomerates in the Arabian Gulf made up of 44 companies with activities spanning manufacturing, trading, marketing, distribution, logistics, contracting and service businesses.
Entrepreneur, industrialist and philanthropist, Mohan is famed for being one of the top business leaders in the Arab world, and yet despite being within sight of his 76th birthday this father of three and grandfather of seven shows no signs yet of edging towards a more laid-back and back-seat role. Indeed Mohan’s razor-sharp intellect and incessant thirst for achievement have translated into his latest quest: that of spearheading innovative new schools, under the Arcadia brand.
“I wanted to leave a legacy behind, and I found that opening schools is the best way to give back to the Dubai community because education is the solution to all the problems of the world,” he says. Mohan has personally planned the opening of four Dubai-based seats of learning comprising two primary and two secondary schools located in the city’s Jumeirah Village Triangle (JVT) and Al Furjan.
Business Life caught up with Mohan to find out more…
BL: You work with an intense passion while having a smart vision to see the future and plan your success. How did you achieve this successful formula?
Mohan Valrani: Because I’m passionate about what I do and genuinely love what I do. I’ve always firmly believed in the importance of offering children the very best education possible. I think my success can also be attributed to a good work/life balance and having strong family values. I also practice yoga on a daily basis which helps me to focus and keep my finger firmly on the pulse.
BL: You said once that change is difficult, but the good thing about change is that it comes with opportunities. Why do you think change can be so difficult and why do people resist change?
Mohan Valrani: Change is inevitable – it comes no matter what. Change is the natural way of life and the world in which we live and as people we have to learn how to embrace change, because if we don’t we end up missing opportunities and lagging behind. We humans naturally find change difficult since we’re largely creatures of habit, but the most successful people are those who learn how to accept the inevitability of change and can adapt and thrive accordingly.
BL: What are your thoughts on the economy of the UAE?
Mohan Valrani: Prosperity in the neighbouring countries is beneficial to UAE. If the likes of India, Pakistan, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the rest of the GCC countries all prosper, then the UAE will benefit. The UAE as a whole is a hugely prosperous nation and a very attractive destination for visitors and residents alike, and this trend will gather momentum as we move towards Dubai Expo 2020. I believe Dubai’s economy will continue to go from strength to strength and we certainly have exciting times ahead of us.
BL: Do you think Dubai is evolving too fast?
Mohan Valrani: No I don’t think it’s too fast; I think it’s on the right path and in line with HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s far-reaching vision for this young and vibrant city. From building the world’s tallest tower to laying the foundations for a first-class educational landscape, Dubai offers incredibly exciting opportunities for the very reason that it is a fast-paced and fast-evolving smart city. It’s much harder for traditional old cities such as Mumbai or London to embrace modernity and convert into being smart cities. I believe Dubai’s fast-paced and dynamic environment is one of the key reasons for its economic success.
BL: Change is good, but they say change is risky if it is done in a very fast way, and Dubai has changed in a very fast time. What is the risk?
Mohan Valrani: Yes Dubai may be evolving fast, but at the same time that only adds to its roster of amazing prospects. So in this sense change is a very positive thing. Remember that every great city on Earth has had to take risks over the course of history in order to change, grow, adapt, prosper and ultimately succeed economically. Dubai is no different.
BL: What do you think about the educational landscape in Dubai?
Mohan Valrani: I think it’s currently good and offers many positives however I want to become involved so I can help to shape the future of Dubai’s educational landscape and see it evolve in a progressive way. My experience, vision and genuine passion for what I do will broaden the educational opportunities for the emirate’s knowledge-seekers.
BL: The Arcadia Preparatory School the first of your Arcadia-branded schools to open in Dubai… How will this new educational establishment differ from other schools in the emirate?
Mohan Valrani: I believe one of the clear ways it will stand out from the rest is by being Dubai’s first 100% teacher-focused school. By that I mean The Arcadia Preparatory School is committed to maximising its teachers’ career satisfaction with generous packages including high salaries, quality housing, health cover and more. Attracting the highest quality teaching professionals to a school is tantamount to ensuring its pupils enjoy the highest standards of education. We are set to revolutionise the UAE’s education scene by creating a 100% teacher-focused approach at Arcadia, incorporating far-reaching benefits which have been purposefully designed to make teachers feel valued and respected within their roles.
BL: Can you give specific details on this?
Mohan Valrani: My vision is to create a school in which teachers are treated with the same value and respect that they are expected to instill in their own students. The school will take a holistic approach to staff’s wellbeing by offering them high-quality accommodation in Arcadia House, a state-of-the art property set amidst inviting surroundings and incorporating a swimming pool, a children’s play area for teachers’ families, a spacious lounge, library and fully-equipped fitness area – all within easy reach of the school community. Staff salaries meanwhile are set to be amongst the highest in the emirate of Dubai with generous remuneration packages including comprehensive health insurance. Teachers will also benefit from ongoing access to the latest training courses provided by leading educational training institutions to advance their educational knowledge and keep their skill base up to date.
BL: How do you think this compares with Dubai-based teachers’ current situations?
Mohan Valrani: We looked carefully at the Emirates’ education landscape and we felt that teachers are not always well looked after by their employers. From housing and benefits to personal development, too many schools in the UAE are falling behind when it comes to their teachers’ own wellbeing, which in turn can easily lead to dissatisfaction, unhappiness and a high turnover of staff. Taking this onboard we’re aiming to create an environment that nurtures not only our students but our teacher staff as well – after all, a school’s biggest asset is its workforce. Happy teachers work harder and impart greater knowledge to their students. This is the Arcadia way: Happy teachers, happy students and a happy school.
BL: And how do you see Arcadia’s educational offering benefitting students themselves?
Mohan Valrani: Once again, The Arcadia Preparatory School is set to revolutionise Dubai’s educational landscape – this time by offering students a unique and innovative programme of curriculum-based learning delivered in harmony alongside a stimulating selection of extra-curricular activities such as coding and robotics, animation, music and photography. We’ve called it the Enrichment Learning Programme (ELP) and it’s a forward-thinking and all-inclusive extended-hours programme running from 2pm until 4pm and designed to enhance and extend the school’s core National Curriculum for England as well as provide additional learning opportunities for students. Attendance will be mandatory for Years 1 to 6 and optional for younger pupils in Foundation Stage who will otherwise finish at the earlier time of 2pm.
BL: And how much additional on top of school fees will you charge for the ELP?
Mohan Valrani: The ELP is provided at no additional cost to parents and is further testimony to the school’s unwavering commitment to nurture lifelong learning amongst its students. Each of the ELP learning experiences will be provided by fully qualified external experts as well as The Arcadia Preparatory School’s own teachers and will feature an ever-changing list of options from which pupils can choose.
BL: It sounds as if your vision for The Arcadia Preparatory School is firmly shaped by the rapidly-changing 21st century world around us, rather than harking back to perhaps the educational traditions of your own generation…
Mohan Valrani: Most definitely. A richly rewarding school life is more than simply sitting behind a desk. I believe that in order to develop confident and inquisitive learners, youngsters should have the chance to try out the broadest spectrum of activities possible, whether that’s gymnastics, chess, cricket or cookery, Mandarin Chinese or outdoor survival skills. What’s more, in designing the school’s ELP we’ve also tried to take into account the modern-day reality of both parents having to work. Parents will be all too familiar with the scenario of having to juggle endless tasks once children arrive home from school, including preparing the evening meal and completing chores alongside dealing with youngsters’ homework queries – all on top of trying to find a moment in which to relax, unwind and enjoy quality time together as a family. But by offering our students the option of attending teacher-led homework clubs as part of the ELP we aim to alleviate some of the hectic after-school rushing around, something I’m sure will be appreciated by ultra-busy working parents in particular.
BL: In a city as culturally and linguistically diverse as Dubai, will The Arcadia Preparatory School provide any assistance for non-native English speaking students?
Mohan: Absolutely. In recognition of Dubai’s linguistically diverse environment the school will also be making special provision for its non-native English speaking pupils who may require additional support in order to optimise their learning journey. Specific classes will be held for teaching English as an Additional Language (EAL) to foster inclusivity. Classes will be small with a maximum of 12 pupils and will provide targeted teaching to enable EAL learners to make rapid progress in mastering English fluency - again at no extra cost to parents. Once again, it’s all part of our commitment to offering parents the very best British-style education for their children via a unique, all-inclusive price package which includes uniforms, school lunches, books and extra-curricular activities - alongside all academic tuition - in one single yearly fee.
BL: Economic opportunities aside, what are the other reasons why so many expats choose to stay on in Dubai and raise families here?
Mohan: Diversity is the real strength of Dubai, in that citizens from 290 countries live here in harmony because Dubai is a highly attractive residential city. This diversity gives the social and political scene in the country a unique and dynamic flavor. To live in similarity is easy, but to live in diversity is a real test. I don't understand why citizens of so many countries, especially the Middle Eastern countries who come from the same community and same country, can't live together. This is very unfortunate, because what really matters is tolerance for all cultures - and this is what HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has really implemented in Dubai.
So, once you have tolerance, you will attract talent. To attract talent is very tough. We have to really woo them, and we have to make sure that they are comfortable enough to come which is really what is happening in Dubai. Dubai has no oil but still Dubai is flourishing because stronger than oil is the business opportunities. Dubai has been doing trade and business with India, Iran and many other countries for the past 150 years. This is the strength of Dubai.
BL: You’ve now transferred your Al Shirawi business leadership on to the second generation, enabling you to dedicate your time to building schools under the Arcadia brand. Was it a smooth process to make this generational transition?
Mohan: My wife Neelam and I have three sons - Sumeet, Navin and Kabir – all of whom are actively engaged in the family business and look after the business units along with the sons of Abdulla Al Shirawi. My three sons are happily married with their own children who are growing up in this wonderful business family as future partners in the growth of Al Shirawi Group. My children and my grandchildren were born, raised and educated in Dubai. They all have done their higher education, in the UK and the US. Our partnership with Abdulla Al Shirawi and his family has been very strong throughout these long blessed years. The transition between the first and second generation has already taken place.
My role is now that of a consultant, a mentor and a father figure. And nowadays, we work on the third generation. The second generation will then one day pass on to the third generation. When the second generation sees the value of hard work, the third will not forget this point. It is important to pass on the family business from one generation to the next successfully and we have the documents and structure in place to make sure that this happens. The partnership has lasted 45 years, and we want to make sure that it will last for another hundred years. This process can encourage family members to pass on proven spiritual and emotional values. So, we do realize the importance of making the transition very smooth from generation to generation by ensuring that we have deep bench strength in the key areas of business and administration. This is the philosophy of the group.
We are a major diversified group of companies, we are into printing, publishing, packaging, logistics, oil and gas, professional electronics, engineering services and now education. We are involved in all major projects across the UAE and the group is well established and highly respected. We are not resting on our successes; our aim is to grow and create businesses for the future. I have gone through crises in my lifetime including when Iraq invaded Kuwait on August 2nd, 1990, and the oil shock in 1986 which initially led to an economic slowdown in the oil-producing economies. We are all likely to experience ups and downs in business so building resilience is essential for management expertise to face crisis. There was a global financial crisis in 2008 but we were even stronger by 2009. Our strength is in our resilience and I see this being passed on for generations to come.
