‘Believe in yourself. Nobody can defeat you unless you decide it’s the end’ – Zahid Bhatti

In the dynamic landscape of global education and entrepreneurship, few stories are as inspiring and multifaceted as that of Zahid Bhatti, CEO of World Learning Ltd. From his early beginnings in Pakistan to his current role leading an international education organisation, Bhatti’s journey is a testament to resilience, innovation, and the power of cross-cultural understanding.

Zahid’s career trajectory is far from conventional. Starting at the young age of 19 as a trainee manager in a local restaurant in Lahore, he quickly realised his passion for people and business. After completing his studies in Management Information Systems and International Relations, the budding entrepreneur briefly entered civil service before pivoting to start his own business consultancy.

“I decided not to continue within the civil service because it just wasn’t for me,” Zahid recalls. “I’m a people person – a marketing, selling person, and I love working on different ideas.”

His entrepreneurial spirit led him to the United Kingdom in 2004, where he soon found himself drawn to the education sector. “After one year, I started my journey in education, which was altogether a new stream,” he explains. This transition was facilitated by volunteer work at City University, which provided crucial insights into the European education system.

Still, his professional journey would be intertwined with significant personal challenges. In 2007, Zahid suffered kidney failure, leading to years of dialysis and a failed transplant attempt. However, he shares, these obstacles only served to fuel his determination.

“In 2013, by the Grace of God, I received a new kidney,” he reveals. Yet this personal triumph coincided with major changes in UK education policies, forcing him to adapt his business strategies. “At that point, I had health success; but on the other side, the business started to decline.It was difficult to understand what was going to happen and how I was going to manage.”

From these challenges emerged World Learning Ltd, an innovative approach to international education. “World Learning Ltd is now based in the UK but with operations in Malta, Poland, Turkey, and America,” Zahid explains. The organisation focuses on providing international education opportunities to students who might not otherwise have access to them.

And Malta, in particular, has become a key hub. “Malta’s got a very unique presence in Europe, attracting European, Middle Eastern and South American students due to its weather, its vibrant culture, atmosphere, and friendly people,” the CEO notes.

Sharing his vision for global education, Zahid goes on to explain that World Learning Ltd’s mission extends beyond traditional education. Emphasising the importance of cultural exposure and understanding, he affirms, “I’m promoting not just the education or the experience but skills to market their capabilities in today’s cut-throat industry. You must travel because travelling will give you an enhanced understanding of your education.” This philosophy is evident in World Learning’s expansion to Turkey and planned growth in Poland.

Moving on to his leadership philosophy, for Zahid, effective leadership boils down to two key elements: team building and critical thinking. “No matter how much investment you are putting into the business, no matter which destination or country you are bringing the business to, unless you have good team members and good leaders with you, you cannot succeed,” he asserts.

He also emphasises the importance of processes in business success: “Business is based on processes. It is not all about what I think. It is about what my organisation needs.”

The CEO’s personal experiences have also instilled in him a deep commitment to philanthropy. He recently initiated a project in Pakistan to provide education and opportunities for the transgender community. “The purpose of starting a school there is to give this community hope – that they can pursue any career. They could be an accountant, a doctor, a physician – they could be anything,” he explains.

Additionally, through his Feedo Needo Foundation, Zahid operates free cafes for the homeless and needy in several cities across the UK, with plans to expand to Malta. “The idea is that anybody can just pop in – they can have hot or cold drinks, hot meals, sandwiches, biscuits, free of cost,” he describes.

Reflecting on his journey, Zahid emphasises the importance of self-belief and resilience. “Believe in yourself. There is nobody who can defeat you unless you decide it’s the end,” he advises. For aspiring entrepreneurs and leaders, the CEO some final words of advice: “Don’t be greedy. Money will come. Focus on the processes. Focus on team building.”

As the CEO continues to lead World Learning Ltd and his various philanthropic initiatives, Zahid’s story serves as an inspiration for aspiring entrepreneurs and a reminder of the power of education, cultural understanding, and giving back to the community. His journey from a young trainee to a global education leader exemplifies the transformative power of perseverance, adaptability, and a commitment to making a positive impact on the world.

This interview forms part of the Digital 50 Business Leaders project. These high-profile interviews are exclusively featured online at MaltaCEOs.mt, highlighting 50 distinguished conversations with business leaders, CEOs, and emerging entrepreneurial talents. Through these discussions, we aim to showcase the remarkable journeys, achievements, and successes of Malta’s business leaders.

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