Shakuntala Mankani Excellence Award Winner for Lifetime Achievement Award Excellence in Education

Ms Shakuntala is a successful businesswoman who remains as passionate about life as when she first set foot in the UAE. She is the torchbearer of Fortes Education - a part of the larger Fortes Holdings - embodying the enterprise’s vision and values of love, tolerance, integrity, humility, lifelong learning, positivity, giving back, and excellence. She ensures that the schools and nurseries uphold her vision and values, working tirelessly to provide the best education for children. “A child has only one chance to go to Year 1 or Year 4; we must ensure we make it the best year for them,” she often says.
In 1965, driven by a desire to create something of her own, Shakuntala left her job at the National Bank of Dubai to start one of Dubai’s first beauty salons, Figurette. Alongside her husband, she ventured into various businesses, including a maintenance company and trading in building materials. In 1970, they founded a construction company, STAC (Steel. Aggregate. Cement. Concrete), further solidifying their entrepreneurial presence in Dubai.
At that time, Dubai had few schools, and even fewer offered international education. Wanting the best for her son Sanjay, Shakuntala decided to send him to a boarding school in England at the age of nine. With flights not as accessible as they are today, Sanjay had to travel alone, and Shakuntala saw him only ten months later. This separation broke her heart; she couldn’t understand why mothers had to send their children away for a better education or why families had to be separated when fathers worked in Dubai, and mothers stayed back home with the children. Determined to solve this problem, Shakuntala envisioned a Dubai where families could live together and access world-class education.
Winning the Excellence in Education - Lifetime Achievement Award is an incredible honor. It signifies recognition of the passion, dedication, and hard work invested in nurturing young minds and creating a platform where children can thrive. This award is a testament to the collective efforts of our entire team and the unwavering support of parents and the community. What truly matters to me is the love and trust that parents have for us, which keeps them coming back. My father, a dedicated doctor, always told me, “Your love for children will lead you to success.” His words have been a guiding light throughout my journey. - Shakuntala Mankani