Hyderabad School of Future CEOs: How one school produced leaders for Microsoft, Adobe, P&G and more

Hyderabad School of Future CEOs

Tucked away in the city of Hyderabad is a school with a campus so vast it feels like its own little world. But the true wonder of The Hyderabad Public School, or HPS as it's popularly known, isn't just its beautiful grounds. It's the incredible number of global leaders and change-makers who once walked its halls as students.

Think about the tech that powers your daily life. The Windows on your computer? Microsoft's CEO, Satya Nadella, is an HPS alumnus. The PDF you read or the creative app you use? The man at the helm of Adobe, Shantanu Narayen, studied there too. From the products on your shelf (Shailesh Jejurikar, CEO of Procter & Gamble) to the world of high finance (Prem Watsa, CEO of Fairfax), HPS alumni are in charge.

It’s a record that makes you wonder: what’s so special about this place?

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The story of HPS begins over a century ago, in 1923. It wasn't started as a school for everyone. Back then, it was known as the "Jagirdars' College," a special residential school created on the model of the famous Eton College in London. Jagirdars were aristocrats and landholders, and the school was designed to provide a world-class education for their sons.

The generous land for the school was donated by noble families, and it was built with a unique fund, a small tax on the income of these jagirdars. For its first few decades, it was an exclusive institution, shaping the minds of the young elite of the region.

After India's independence, the school transformed, opening its doors to a much wider range of students. But its mission of excellence remained. The list of alumni reads like a "Who's Who" of achievement, far beyond just the corporate world.

In Politics: The school counts a former Chief Minister, Members of Parliament from across party lines, and influential leaders like the Owaisi brothers among its graduates.

On the World Stage: Ajay Banga, who now heads the World Bank group, is a proud HPS alum.

In Science and Innovation: From a Chief Engineer at NASA to a renowned professor at Cornell University, the school has nurtured brilliant scientific minds.

In the Arts and Media: The glitz of Indian cinema is represented by stars like Nagarjuna and Ram Charan. The voice of cricket for millions, Harsha Bhogle, also honed his skills here.

It's a place where future CEOs, politicians, and artists sit next to each other in the canteen, forging friendships and a network that spans the globe. The school's ethos seems to instill confidence and ambition that propel its students to the very top of their chosen fields.

From its beginnings as a school for princes, it has become a factory for prime ministers of the global industry, proving that its legacy of leadership is stronger than ever.