Poonam Bhojani, with over 18 years of experience in the education industry, plays a pivotal role in Dubai’s educational landscape as the founder and CEO of Innoventures Education. Her leadership extends to several renowned educational institutions in Dubai, including Dubai International Academy at Emirates Hills and Al Barsha, the Collegiate American School, Raffles International School, Raffles World Academy, Raffles Nurseries, and Raffles Starters. Innoventures Education serves over 7,700 children from more than 120 countries through a dedicated team of about 1,100 teachers and administrative staff across the globe.
Bhojani firmly believes that the key to long-term profitability in education lies in delivering quality. Private education in the UAE doesn’t receive subsidies, and schools face global competition for talented educators. Moreover, they compete with other real estate asset classes for suitable locations. While costs may rise, revenue is subject to local regulation, creating a unique challenge in the Dubai education industry.
Quality remains Bhojani’s focus, and she emphasises that financial success follows when businesses deliver on their promised value. She underscores the importance of prioritising each student’s individual well-being, with a commitment to making each school day meaningful and full of learning. For Bhojani, the true measure of success isn’t just numbers; it’s about providing quality education to every student.
Bhojani’s contributions to education extend beyond her role as CEO. She served as the President of the Middle East International Baccalaureate Association of schools in 2008 and continues to be part of its executive committee.
Before her career in education, Bhojani spent over 16 years in the technology sector, working across continents. Her extensive experience has provided her with insights into leadership qualities. She highlights five Cs as distinguishing factors for great leaders: commitment, collaboration, communication, clarity, and compassion. A great leader, in her view, is one who commands respect and followership, has a clear vision, leads by example, and cares for all stakeholders.
As a hands-on CEO, Bhojani’s top priority is ensuring high-quality experiences for the students enrolled in Innoventures institutions. Her day-to-day involvement ensures that the staff can deliver the best possible education to every child. Bhojani believes in retaining top talent by showing respect and appreciation. She encourages a sense of ownership among her team members and practices appropriate delegation through a distributed leadership model. Her dedicated team shares her commitment to delivering the best for their students and shaping the future of education in Dubai.
In the ever-evolving landscape of education in Dubai, Poonam Bhojani stands out as a visionary leader committed to delivering quality education and shaping the future for thousands of students. Her dedication to excellence is a testament to the transformative power of education.
