School Advisor Articles

Meet the Visionaries: Rami Madani, Head of School at ISKL, on His Vision for Meaningful Education

Published by SchoolAdvisor | Oct 09, 2025

Rami Madani, Head of International School of Kuala Lumpur (ISKL)

When you listen to Rami Madani talk about his life, you realise that this isn’t your typical story. Every aspect of his life sounds like episodes from different shows, all because his interests and hobbies are so distinct from one another. Despite this, his stories are all guided by one simple premise: life is about connecting with everything. 

Having lived in a multitude of countries, including Germany, Yemen, the UK, India, and Malaysia, connecting with different kinds of people is inevitable. Although having to adapt to new environments is a challenge, Rami handles this in a particularly gracious manner. 

Humans, Rami believes, can connect meaningfully with one another, regardless of their diverse backgrounds. “I’ve learned that openness, trust, and respect are what connect us, no matter where we come from,” he says. This secret recipe is the key to leading a school of over 1,800 students across 70 nationalities. His experience is a testament to the transformative power of education, where he has dedicated himself to creating an inclusive, respectful, and open community for students from all walks of life.

What Sparked The Value of Openness

Rami’s childhood wasn’t ordinary. Few children can say they’ve grown up across so many borders, absorbing cultures as if they were collecting stamps. For Rami, his stampbook was filled with stamps ranging from Africa to Asia, each country colouring his life with the best parts of connection and humanity.

In Damascus, he first discovered the transformative power of education. Piano lessons with a French nun who couldn’t speak Arabic could have been a disaster, but instead, it became one of his earliest lessons in persistence and adaptability. “I learned French just to understand her lessons,” he recalls. Later in Germany, he flipped the script; learning German to keep up with his piano studies, all the while teaching his teacher Arabic in return. For him, learning isn’t a one-way street. It always requires give and take, which makes it all the more worthwhile.

Rami playing the piano 

Rami’s fascination towards music helped plant the seeds of resilience he now harbours. “Music has both structure and freedom,” Rami says. “It demands discipline but also creativity and emotion. Leadership feels the same.” These two parallels between music and leadership demonstrate that Rami’s values centre around adaptability in the face of life's challenges.

Numbers, and a Wide Vision

For a long time, mathematics seemed to be his destined path. Teaching mathematics gave him a joy quite out of the ordinary. But then, something shifted.

“I realised my true calling was not just in the classroom, it was helping to shape a vision for education,” he explains. This realisation transformed his trajectory. He then began yearning for something larger than just equations on a board. True, teaching is a privilege; you literally shape students for a future in which they can excel. But Rami aspires to go beyond that. He aims to shape communities, empower students, and nurture their futures in every possible way. 

It definitely wasn’t an easy pivot for him, though. Walking away from a well-defined career path into the unknown takes courage. But as with his piano lessons, he leaned into persistence, adaptability, and trust. 

So education then became his canvas. And ISKL, the school he now leads, is a manifestation of his adaptability and perseverance.

The school’s heartbeat lies in a belief Rami holds dearly: when young people are educated, they not only build better futures for themselves, but also uplift others.

Values Forged in Life and Leadership

Part of his values stems from his father’s example of hard work. But much of it was forged on the road, across cultures and through human encounters. Living among so many communities showed him that trust and compassion aren’t optional extras, but the glue that holds people together.

His leadership today reflects those lessons. He describes his style as collaborative, empathetic, and values-driven. He listens first, builds trust, and aims to do what is right rather than being right. “Leadership is about supporting the growth of others,” he says. “It’s about building a sense of belonging where everyone feels empowered to contribute.” It sounds simple, almost understated, but it is the very foundation of a leadership that’s made for all. 

How Rami Creates Balance

Of course, Rami is not all work and leadership manuals. Ask him about his ideal weekend, and you’ll see a man who values balance. He’d begin with a run or workout, followed by a cup of coffee and reading in his garden. Time with family and friends is sacred, so warm conversations over hearty lunches and dinners are a must. 

And if education weren’t his career, he would love to discover the beauty of the world through a different lens. “Photography appeals to me because it’s about noticing the small details that often go unseen,” he reflects. In many ways, it’s the same philosophy that guides his leadership: paying attention, noticing what others miss, and bringing it into the light. 

There’s also a playful quirkiness in how he frames life. He often sees parallels between music and leadership, nature and growth, as well as photography and the act of noticing humanity. It truly portrays the kind of warm sentiment he holds: life is all about the interlinks. 

A Life-Changing Legacy

Many leaders talk about leaving behind lasting achievements, systems, or policies. But Rami talks about leaving behind trust, care, and inspiration. He hopes people will remember him not for being in charge, but for believing in them, encouraging their growth, and creating a healthy environment for them to thrive in. 

His vision for education is not merely for students to have their exam sheets glittered with As. It’s to give them fulfilled lives and to make meaningful contributions to the world. Because what point is there to life if not to make a change for the better?