When Dr. Augustine Francis Pinto conceived the idea of starting a school, little did he know that his brainchild would grow into a vast institution, with branches not only in India, but also across the globe. Ryan International Group of Institutions has expanded manifold ever since it’s inception in 1976, and has carved a niche for itself in the education sector with over 135 schools in 40 cities across India
The group, founded by Dr. A.F. Pinto, attributes a major chunk of its success to Madam Grace Pinto, the Managing Director of the group. When Madam Grace Pinto got married to Dr. A.F. Pinto in 1974, they had a common goal – to provide access to affordable and quality education. Fueled by the same vision, Madam Pinto has been nothing short of the backbone to Ryan Group.
From taking up teaching at the first school they started together in Mumbai, to assuming the role of the Managing Director of the Ryan International Group of Institutions today, nurturing countless young minds and taking the group to its present state of success – Madam Grace Pinto has done it all.
As the CEO of the Group, Ryan Pinto has been achieving new heights and taking the legacy of this education forward. An alumnus of Cass Business School, London, Ryan Pinto has duly proved his mettle as an able thought leader through his contribution to the domestic as well as international expansion of the educational group.
His vision for the group remains in complete harmony with that of his parents. “The prime motivational factor which has driven the growth of Ryan International Group of Institutions is not revenue and profitability, but the desire to provide value-based education to as many children as possible in the country,” Ryan Pinto says.
One of the youngest entrepreneurs in the K-12 education segment, Ryan Pinto has been instrumental in the inception of the Ryan Group’s international curriculum schools – the Ryan Global Schools. He also played a crucial role in the establishment of two highly successful schools in Sharjah and Abu Dhabi, and plans to launch more.
Ryan was felicitated with ‘Asia’s Emerging Business Leader 2013-14 Award’ at the Global Indian Excellence Summit in London. The award was conferred upon the Young Turk based on a consumer and product survey conducted by the World Consulting & Research Corporation (WCRC).
Carrying forward the legacy of ‘accessible education for all’, Ryan Pinto shares, “In our family, we believe that we have been given enough love and financial security by God and that it is our duty and responsibility to pass it on. In most of our schools between 5-50 % of children are studying on scholarships and free ships. Our expansion plans are driven by the need to reach as many children as possible in the country’s educationally under-served areas.”
As the CEO of Ryan International Schools, Ryan Pinto hopes to transform “traditional” schools into dynamic, interactive learning environments that benefit not only the students, teachers and direct stakeholders, but also their communities, cities and country. “While academics are really important for educators, a holistic approach is equally important. We need to ensure that we encourage, impart good values and ethics to our children continuously,” he says.
Pinto adds, “It is a long and hard journey but we have to continue. We follow the golden rule ‘Do unto others as you would have them do unto you’ to encourage our children, learn and inculcate in their lives. I encourage every educator not to let anyone rob children of their joy of teaching, and ensure our efforts are shaping and impacting the future.”
