A Moment With
A moment with Vikas Pota CEO of the Varkey Foundation
By Carolyn Lee
The 21st century ushered in a new and exciting era in education . Teachers started to explore innovative ways of teaching and learning . The amazing breakthrough with new technologies created distinctive platforms that connected teachers , education suppliers and education experts globally . From this pool of education innovators , a new and distinguished class of leaders , movers and shakers within the global education community emerged . Vikas Pota , CEO of the Varkey Foundation stands among the leaders of this class .
Vikas is uniquely positioned to tap into the pulse of some of the transformative methodologies , resources and the outstanding teachers who are changing the way we learn . His work allows him to improve the standards of education for underprivileged children worldwide .
A firm believer in education , philanthropy and collaboration , Vikas has worked extensively with various charitable organisations . He is the recipient of numerous honours and awards .
Join Teach Middle East Magazine as we delve a little into his background and find out from him what makes him tick .
Share a bit about your upbringing and early goals .
I was born in Nairobi , Kenya , and moved over to the United Kingdom when I was nine years old . I went to Edgware Junior School and then onto Edgware Secondary School , which was a state comprehensive school in North West London . I was committed to getting my education . I expected that it would lead to better things . I quickly learnt that a good teacher is important . You need to have a ‘ get-upand-go ’ attitude to be able to figure things out for yourself . I also learned that it is vital to surround yourself with people who have good values in their lives and in what they do .
Who inspires you most ?
I am a fan of the underdog , people overcoming adversity and going on to succeed against the odds . These stories really inspire me , as they teach us about human potential . My mother inspires me a lot . She came from a poor background and raised my sister and I single-handed after my father died . This was a tall order and a big achievement . There are major political and historic figures like Nelson Mandela and Mahatma Gandhi who have had a big influence on me . We are in the process of discovering who their equivalents in today ’ s age are going to be , which is very exciting .
What motivates you to get involved with charitable work ?
The role of charities has fundamentally changed in the last few years . Technological advances are making the world a smaller place , yet the challenges we face over big issues such as global inequality and the environment only get bigger . The fact that half a billion children don ’ t have access to a good teacher is almost unbelievable in this day and age .
I strongly believe in innovating the various roles that can be played by charity , particularly in cases where progressive organisations can make meaningful and productive links with business , charity , and policy makers - anyone who can help change the situation for the better . We need to work together in better networks and greater partnerships to make real and lasting change .
Describe a childhood experience that changed your outlook on education .
My grandparents left India to pursue better lives in the 1920s . They helped build the Railways in East Africa , where my father and his siblings were born . Owing to the worsening political situation , my family decided to move to London in the early ‘ 80s for better prospects of future generations . Soon after arriving , when I was very young , my father died . My mother raised my sister and I with the support of our loving extended family . She worked two jobs at times to ensure we were provided for , including in a samosa shop , a photo processing plant , an old people ’ s home .
She strongly instilled in me the importance of education , when it comes to getting on in life . When I was choosing GCSE options at the age of 14 she said something , which has stuck with me to this day . She said : “ all I want you to do is to get to university , because everyone around you who has , seems to have done well for themselves ”. It was her hard work in those different jobs that gave me the education I have today . In March this year , I received an honorary degree from my old college , Aston University in Birmingham . I was delighted and proud to take my mother with me . She had inspired me to embrace education in the way that I have , throughout my life . As Sunny Varkey , Founder of the Varkey Foundation , has often said , and as I now say to my two daughters : “ Whatever the question , education is the answer .”
What is a typical workday like for you ?
Today , technology makes it easier to connect and co-ordinate with the Varkey Foundation colleagues all around the world . Skype calls with our people in different locations can take up a lot of my morning . The day starts with calls with colleagues from the East , moving on to the West , followed potentially by some media interviews . In those , I am promoting and answering interview questions about some of our initiatives such as the Global Teacher Prize . I am often asked to comment on emerging education ideas and my views on new reports published about the education sector . Afternoons are packed with meetings with many of our partners such as Harvard Graduate School of Education , Dubai Cares , and the Association for the Development of Education in Africa among others . We have discussions and updates of initiatives such as our annual Global Education and Skills Forum , which is often referred to as “ the Davos of education .” I try to spend the evening with my family , but sometimes I have a networking event with an important opinion former , journalist or celebrity , who can use their platform to highlight key education initiatives .
This is , of course , if I am in the UK . I am often travelling , visiting and overseeing
38 | Mar - Apr 2017 | | After The Bell