From Burewala to Shanghai: My journey on international skills stage

I never imagined that filling out a competition form in my classroom would take me from a village in Burewala to Shanghai, China, and give me the opportunity to represent Pakistan at the 48th WorldSkills Competition.   

Mudassir Hussain poses with his medal at the closing ceremony of WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 on Sept 27. [Photo provided to iShanghai]

Reaching Shanghai was a completely new and memorable experience for me. From the moment I arrived, I was impressed by the city's modern infrastructure. The efficient metro system, well-maintained roads, high-rise buildings, and widespread use of digital technology gave me a clear impression of how advanced the city has become.

My time in Shanghai gave me valuable knowledge and practical experience in electrical technology according to international standards. It was a great opportunity to observe advanced Chinese technology and understand how technical skills are applied in a professional environment.

One of the biggest differences I observed in Shanghai was the strong emphasis on practical work, while Pakistan's technical education often gives comparatively more importance to theoretical learning. I also found that Chinese institutes are closely connected with industry, use modern equipment and laboratories, and attach great importance to discipline and time management.

I believe Pakistan can learn from this approach by strengthening links between technical institutes and industry, providing students with modern equipment and laboratories, giving greater importance to practical skills, and creating greater respect and recognition for skilled workers.

Another valuable part of my experience was meeting participants from different countries. Interacting with them helped me improve my communication skills, make new friends, and learn about their cultures and ways of life. It showed me that technical skills can also become a means of bringing young people from different countries together.

Mudassar Hussain (R) with his fellow Pakistani participant Mohid Mehboob (L) at WorldSkills Shanghai 2026. [Photo provided to iShanghai]

But my journey to Shanghai began long before I arrived in China. I come from a village in Burewala Tehsil, Vehari district, Punjab province of Pakistan. One day, when I entered my classroom, I saw some students filling out a form for a skills competition. I asked them about it, learned more about the opportunity, and decided to fill out the form myself. That simple decision opened a new chapter in my life.

I began preparing for the competition with the guidance and support of my teachers. The first competition was held at my institute, where I secured first position. After that, the wins kept piling up as I rose to each successive challenge, also finishing first at the national level at NAVTTC in Islamabad. These achievements led to my selection to represent Pakistan at the international skills competition in Shanghai.

Mudassar Hussain demonstrates technical skills in the Electrical Installation category while competing against participants from 33 countries. [Photo provided to iShanghai]

The journey was not without challenges. At every stage, I faced difficulties, but I never lost heart. Whenever I encountered a problem, I tried to find a solution with the help and guidance of my expert teachers. Their support played an important role in improving my technical skills.

I want to tell the youth of Pakistan that opportunities can come from unexpected places. My journey started when I simply saw some students filling out a competition form in my classroom. With hard work, determination, and the right guidance, a young person from a village in Burewala can reach an international platform in Shanghai.

After returning to Pakistan, my first priority will be to share what I learned with my classmates and teachers. I want to use my new skills and international experience to pursue better employment opportunities in Pakistan and abroad. The international certificate and practical exposure to advanced Chinese technology will help me build a career in the electrical industry.

In the future, I also hope to establish my own small workshop and create opportunities for others. I want to continue participating in international skills competitions and further upgrade my technical abilities. In the long term, my goal is not only to build my own career but also to train other young people so they can benefit from the knowledge and practical training methods I experienced in Shanghai.

About the author:

A native of Burewala, Pakistan, Mudassar Hussain holds a diploma of Associate Engineering (DAE) in Electrical Technology from the Government College of Technology Sahiwal. He represented his country at the 48th WorldSkills Competition in Shanghai.