India (Commonwealth Union)_ S. Rajadurai, an Indian expatriate from the Tamil community, has been chosen as the chairman of the School Management Committee of the International Indian School in Riyadh (IISR), a watershed moment for the Indian diaspora in Saudi Arabia. Rajadurai is originally from Madurai, Tamil Nadu, and has over 16 years of professional experience in India and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. An electrical engineer by qualification, he holds both a diploma and a bachelor’s degree from Anna University in Chennai.
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Previously, he has worked across many sectors like engineering, executing projects in other businesses, managing supply chains, and overseeing commercial operations. Today he is Cavallo Contracting Company’s sales lead in Saudi Arabia, responsible for driving sales growth, managing projects, and developing long-term relationships with customers. Accordingly, members of Riyadh’s Tamil minority have reacted positively to his appointment. Soon after the announcement, representatives from local Tamil organizations and parent groups met Rajadurai to congratulate him.
Furthermore, members of the Tamil Cultural Association and Saudi Arabian Tamil Parent Forum contributed to this gathering by sharing their experience in the areas of education quality, student safety/well-being, and the future expectations of parents. In response to these needs and concerns, Rajadurai stated he would work to ensure that the entire process of supporting student development is improved during his term of office. He highlighted that his leadership will prioritize not only academic performance but also the development of students’ character, discipline, collaboration, and leadership abilities. He also expressed a special commitment to supporting the educational progress and broader advancement of the Tamil community within the school.
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Additionally, the formation of the new six-member School Management Committee follows approval from the Saudi Ministry of Education. The committee features a diverse group of professionals from across India and beyond. It includes Yash Paul Pahuja from Rajpura, Punjab, who serves as Managing Director and Head of Risk Management at Jadwa Investment Company in Riyadh; Jancy Predin from Kottarakkara, Kerala, Chairperson of the Nursing Projects and Regulation Department at King Fahad Medical City and an active social worker; CMA Suhail Mankarathodi from Malappuram, Kerala, a finance professional at Bureau Veritas and community volunteer; Taha Tahir Patel from Mumbai, a Service Operations Excellence Leader at Schneider Electric Saudi Arabia; and Dr. Faisal Imam from Patna, Bihar, a professor at King Saud University in Riyadh.
The school’s principal, Meera Rahman, made the official announcement via a circular. As of this point in time, this committee is charged with handling the administrative duties and planning all operations for the fiscal year 2026-2028. In addition to the duties performed by the chairman, the membership consists of many varying professional backgrounds, such as banking, healthcare, academic (university or college) community members, and business leadership. These professionals are representative of the citizens of Riyadh that make up the diverse Indian community. Their combined experience is expected to strengthen both governance and the institution’s academic standards.
The new committee took office during an investiture ceremony in Riyadh. The celebration opened with a moment of silence, followed by a statement by Principal Rahman, who thanked the Indian Embassy and the Saudi Ministry of Education for their ongoing assistance. She also emphasized the committee’s critical role in maintaining the smooth operation of the institution. Speaking during the occasion, Vipul Bawa, First Secretary at the Embassy of India and Observer of Indian Schools, emphasized that committee members have tremendous responsibilities. He emphasized the value of professionalism, clear communication, and responsibility in decision-making. He also pointed out that all major decisions would be subject to review and approval by the higher board.
Furthermore, Rajadurai has outlined a forward-looking vision for the school. He is looking to build a sustainable and environmentally conscious school as well as foster ethics among the students. He wants to build a progressive and inclusive environment that will enable students to be prepared for future challenges under his leadership. One of the largest community schools in the country, the International Indian School Riyadh has a great deal of potential under new leadership and will help to continue the tradition of meeting the educational needs of a diverse student body.
