The Beginning
Aly's journey began in Najran, Saudi Arabia, where he grew up as the sixth of nine siblings. Raised in a culture of conservatism, he had limited exposure to the outside world until his first encounter with television in 1976, at the age of six. This experience sparked Aly's curiosity and ignited a passion for exploring the world beyond his hometown. At the young age of eight, Aly put his entrepreneurial skills to the test by investing a $3 cash gift from his father to purchase toys for resale to his siblings and other kids in the neighborhood. By 13, he was already a full-time employee in the family business during summer seasons and part-time during the school year. Aly's early experiences paved the way for his future successes and set the tone for his life-long commitment to exploration and entrepreneurship.
From Conservative Upbringing to Visionary Leader
Aly's insatiable curiosity and thirst for adventure led him to dream of a life filled with travel, cultural immersion, and learning from diverse perspectives. At the age of 17, he took the first step towards realizing this dream by attending an Engineering course at King Abdulaziz University in Jeddah. Despite juggling both school and work, Aly worked part-time at his family's gold and jewelry business while simultaneously serving as a journalist at Al Madinah Newspaper. His tireless work ethic and unwavering commitment to his craft propelled him to become an influential journalist, breaking free from the confines of his conservative upbringing and becoming an open-minded industry professional. Upon graduation, Aly was recruited as a Senior General Manager at ALJ – Toyota Motor Corporation, where he spent the next decade building a reputation as a visionary leader in international sales, marketing, customer satisfaction, and business development.
Aly’s fruitful global career has grown through business acumen and extensive travel to 200+ cities in more than 60 countries.
Professional Life in Canada
Aly's professional success is a testament to his unwavering commitment to academic excellence. In 2005, he laid the foundation for his Canadian-based companies, beginning with CLLC. With an Executive MBA and Diploma in Management from Saint Mary's University, a Bachelor of Engineering degree from King Abdulaziz University, and several leadership courses from Harvard Business School under his belt, Aly's academic background has informed his strategic vision and empowered him to establish one of Canada's most successful ESL schools. Additionally, he has earned the Six Sigma Green Belt Qualification from Motorola University, further demonstrating his dedication to continuous improvement. Driven by his passion for providing international students with top-quality English language education and opportunities, Aly has tirelessly worked to establish a global network of ESL professionals. Through his tireless efforts, he has created an international community of like-minded professionals committed to delivering the best in language education to students around the world.
A Broader Reach
With a passionate vision of creating "A World Where Education is Valued and Celebrated" and a mission to "Recognize the People Who Make Education Their Mission," Aly has revolutionized the international education industry through his innovative creation of the CPIEAs. By recognizing and celebrating the contributions of individuals committed to improving education, Aly has demonstrated his unwavering dedication to creating a better world for all.
In addition to his groundbreaking work in the education industry, Aly understands the importance of cultivating and nurturing professional relationships for long-term success and growth. He firmly believes that investing time and energy into building "win-win" partnerships is the optimal business strategy. Driven by his visionary mindset, Aly conducts seminars and educational workshops around the globe, sharing his expertise and enriching the lives of those he encounters. His local, national, and international involvement in the education industry is a testament to his unwavering commitment to advancing education and creating a brighter future for all.
Aly possesses exceptional skills in building and maintaining strong working relationships, as evidenced by his active participation as a board member of Languages Canada and EduNova, and his role as a member of the Halifax Business Awards Judging Committee. He is a highly accomplished industry professional, having led CLLC to win more than a dozens of awards, such as the 2023 Best Online English School in Canada, Education Stars Awards in 2020 and 2019, as well as the Business of the Year Silver Award in 2015 and the Halifax Chamber of Commerce Small Business Gold Award in 2008 and many more others.
Aly's extensive experience and expertise make him a trusted "go-to" person in a wide range of fields, including business development, human resources, staff retention, strategic planning, and organizational culture. His well-regarded "MBA in One Day" program is just one example of his dedication to giving back to the business community and helping others achieve their goals. Whether you're seeking advice or guidance, Aly has a wealth of knowledge and insights to share.
Global Expansion
In addition to its impressive track record in Canada, CLLC under Aly’s leadership is expanding its reach globally with the establishment of CLLC Turkey.
CLLC is a prominent independent Canadian language school with a rich history spanning nearly two decades. Aly announced in January 2023 the newest addition to the CLLC family of schools, CLLC Turkey. The school is set to open in September 2024 and will be the fifth private campus of CLLC, expanding its global network to include daycare, primary, middle school, and English language education.
Aly Raja, the founder of CLLC, has a vision to give back to the international community, and CLLC Turkey will serve this purpose. The aim is to establish a boutique school that offers a luxurious home-away-from-home experience for parents and students at a reasonable cost, ensuring the school's stability.
Family
Aly is a devoted family man, married to his loving and supportive wife, Raja, with whom he has a beautiful two sons named Waseem and Zain. Aly finds immense joy and fulfillment in life with his dear wife, and they enjoy each other's company every day, making their weekdays feel like weekends and weekends like honeymoons. Raja is the apple of Aly's eye, and he considers her his soulmate. He prays to Allah every day that their union and family continue to receive endless blessings and happiness.
Apart from his family, Aly is also interested in existential philosophy and the creation of worlds from emergence to resurrection. He firmly believes that dignity is of utmost importance, and without it, nothing else matters. Aly has dedicated his life to growing together with his team, enjoying a better lifestyle, watching their children play together, and safeguarding their future.