Mohammed Ashif, President and CEO of Saudi-based industrial conglomerate Expertise, has expressed strong interest in partnering with Young India Skills University (YISU) during a meeting with the Telangana Rising delegation at the World Economic Forum 2026. The development marks a significant milestone for Telangana’s skill-based education initiative on the global stage.
The meeting was led by Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, who presented the state’s vision for transforming higher education through industry-aligned learning. Expertise, a major industrial conglomerate with substantial presence across the Middle East, specializes in plant maintenance services for skilled talent-intensive sectors including petrochemical, oil and gas, fertilizer, steel, cement, water treatment, and power generation industries.
Chief Minister Revanth Reddy emphasized that YISU was established with the specific intention to bridge the gap between education and employment. The university offers industry-led curricula combined with hands-on practical exposure, ensuring graduates are job-ready from day one. This approach has attracted significant attention from international companies seeking skilled workforce.
Minister D. Sridhar Babu stated that Telangana is building a future-ready talent base through comprehensive programs including foundational learning, advanced skilling, apprenticeships, mentorship, and entrepreneurship. These initiatives align with the state’s vision for 2047 and the ambitious goal to become a $3 trillion economy.
The Minister highlighted that YISU holds the distinction of being the first university in India to be established with fully industry-led management. This unique structure ensures that the curriculum and training programs remain closely aligned with actual industry requirements and evolving market demands.
In response to the presentation, the CEO of Expertise immediately proposed a partnership with the Skills University. The company has a substantial recruitment requirement of approximately 5,000 skilled workers per year across various technical crafts and trades required for their operations in the Middle East region.
The proposed collaboration would involve YISU training workforce in all the specific crafts and skills required by Expertise. This partnership model could serve as a template for other international companies looking to source skilled talent from Telangana, potentially opening new employment opportunities for thousands of students.
Mohammed Ashif stated that the company would like to partner with the Skills University and kickstart training the workforce in all the crafts required by their operations. The partnership is expected to create a direct pipeline of skilled professionals from Telangana to employment opportunities in the Middle East’s industrial sector.
