KK Ashraf, the Keralite behind UAE's education revolution

KK Ashraf, a UAE-based Keralite expat, is one of the active educational reformists in the UAE. The long journey of his life in the UAE awarded him a vision for the educational sector, which he stepped into by transforming British schools in the UAE to an international, novel level. Creative Education Solutions (CES), his initiative offering services including school setting-up and management, carries forward his success trail.

He has currently invested all his efforts in developing an advanced learning experience with artificial intelligence, robotics, and smart learning; an initiative he has already kickstarted in Al Basma British School, Abu Dhabi.

Ashraf started his career in the UAE as a clerk in a bank. Thanks to his hard work and willpower, he achieved a high position in the banking sector before retirement. Then he turned towards the educational sector by establishing Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan School, Abu Dhabi in 2010.

At present, after a decade, he supervises and provides consultations to two British schools in Abu Dhabi, Al-Basma and Ajyal, the Garden City British school in Al Ain and three nursery schools. Back in his native state of Kerala, the Aura Academic Institution Company started in 2012 has set up schools of international standard in Perinthalmanna and Kodungallur which have become centres of excellence.

Apart from the educational sector, Ashraf has also contributed significantly to the health sector. The Modern Speciality Hospital in Kodungallur, which was initiated by him in 1993 to provide affordable medical services, is a source of hope for patients, including thousands of kidney patients.