Having spent 24 years as an educator across British and Indian curriculum institutions in Dubai, Susan Rubin Varghese, current Principal of The Indian Academy, has transitioned from effective teaching to thriving in senior leadership roles.

She holds dual bachelor degrees in Chemistry and Education in Physical Sciences and a Master of Science in Chemistry. She has also been an authorized trainer/facilitator for “Cambridge International” and “Corporate Coach U” professional learning providers.

Having begun her career in Mumbai as a university Chemistry lecturer, Varghese moved to Dubai in 2004 becoming a high school sciences teacher, academic department head and section supervisor.  She progressed to successfully lead in well-established schools in the capacities of Principal and Deputy Principal since 2014.

Varghese believes in empowering students in guiding their own learning and infusing real-life problem-solving and other experiential learning throughout their schooling.  As an avid explorer herself, she has led multiple student excursions to the United Nations office and the European Nuclear Science Research Centre in Geneva, and the NASA Space Aviation camp in the USA.

Her goal as a leader is to nurture open-mindedness and accepting diverse perspectives among students and staff, better enabling her school community members to meet the challenges of this ever-changing world.  This is not merely about academics but also having the schools she leads nurture youngsters into being kind and selfless citizens, good neighbors, engaging colleagues, ethical civic and/or business leaders, and well-prepared to lead their own families in the future.

Varghese is the proud parent of two university-aged daughters who intend to channel their personal and professional energies toward positively impacting the world around them.