Who is the smartest human being that’s ever lived?

Salman Khan.

In the year 1998 at MIT, Khan achieved 3 BSc in mathematics, electrical engineering, and computer science where after he completed 2 MSc in electrical engineering and computer science. He also holds an MBA from Harvard.

He left his job as a hedge fund analyst after discovering educating millions of people—through his paragon teaching style—was in the realm of possibilities.

I believe the smartest people who roam the universe are simultaneously the most unpretentious because through hindsight they realize it is not inherent intelligence, but persistent passionate diligence, curiosity and a willingness to grow that’s key. They also took notice that the environment where kids grow up, which makes or breaks passion, is entirely up to chance; and an unfavorable one at that.

That being said, Sal chose sharing wisdom over utilizing it for lucrative intentions. And judging from his various degrees, the latter possibilities could’ve been endless. To this day Khan Academy has offered a helping hand to over 40 million people worldwide, for free!

“The sole meaning of life is to serve humanity.” ―Leo Tolstoy

His genuinely compassionate and charismatic approach has impacted and will continue to impact millions of lives. Team Khan Academy is closing the illusionary gap between the layman and the wonderful Shangri-La that is science. Ultimately leveling up our humanity.

Sapere aude!

 

The claim that any person is the smartest who ever lived is subjective. Sal was chosen because he educated people who’d otherwise never have enjoyed the opportunity. By virtue of making the humankind smarter he deserves an honorable mention. Khan Academy might have tutored the next Marie Curie or Albert Einstein who’d in different circumstances be left in darkness.

Salman Amin “Sal” Khan (Bengali: সালমান খান, born October 11, 1976) is an American teacher, entrepreneur, and a former hedge fund analyst of Bangladeshi and Indian descent. He is the founder of the Khan Academy, a free online education platform and a 501(c)(3) organization with which he has produced over 6,500 video lessons teaching a wide spectrum of academic subjects, mainly focusing on mathematics and sciences. As of April 2016, the Khan Academy channel on YouTube has more than 2.5 million subscribers and the Khan Academy videos have been viewed more than 788 million times. In 2012, Time named Salman Khan in its annual list of the 100 most influential people in the world. Forbes magazine featured Khan on its cover with the story “$1 Trillion Opportunity.”

Early life and education

Salman Khan was born in Metairie, Louisiana. His father, Dr Fakhrul Amin Khan, is from Barisal, Bangladesh, and his mother, Masuda Khan, is from Murshidabad, West Bengal, India. He and his elder sister were raised by his mother.

Khan attended the public school Grace King High School in Metairie, Louisiana, where, as he recalls, “a few classmates were fresh out of jail and others were bound for top universities.” Khan was motivated even at a young age to help other people learn.

Khan attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, graduating with Bachelor of Science degrees in mathematics, electrical engineering, and computer science in 1998, later getting his Master of Science in electrical engineering and computer science. Khan was class president in his senior year.

Khan also holds a Master in Business Administration from Harvard Business School.

Career

In 2002, Khan was a summer intern at PARC. From 2003 to late 2009, Khan worked as a hedge fund analyst at Connective Capital Management.

Khan Academy

In late 2003, Khan began tutoring his cousin, Nadia, in mathematics over the internet using Yahoo!‘s Doodle notepad. When other relatives and friends sought his tutoring, he moved his tutorials to YouTube where he created an account on 16 November 2006.

The popularity of his educational videos on the video-sharing website and the testimonials of students prompted Khan to quit his job as a financial analyst in late 2009. After consulting his wife, telling her it was the “highest social return that one could ever get,” he moved his focus to developing his YouTube channel, Khan Academy, full-time with the aid of close friend Josh Gefner. Khan consequently received sponsorship from Ann Doerr, the wife of John Doerr.

His videos received worldwide interest from both students and non-students, with more than 458 million views in the first number of years.

Khan outlined his mission as to “accelerate learning for students of all ages. With this in mind, we want to share our content with whoever may find it useful.” Khan plans to extend the “free school” to cover topics such as English. Khan’s videos are also used to educate rural areas of Africa and Asia. Citing his personal response: “With so little effort on my own part, I can empower an unlimited amount of people for all time. I can’t imagine a better use of my time.”

Khan published a book about Khan Academy and education goals titled The One World Schoolhouse: Education Reimagined.

Khan Academy, initially a tool for students, added the Coach feature in 2012, promoting the connection of teachers with students through videos and monitor tools. With such online success, Khan has added that “someone who wants to become an engineer or a doctor cannot ignore the current education system. They have to show up there and take exams.”

Recognition

Personal life

Khan is married to Pakistani-American physician Umaima Marvi. The couple live with their children in Mountain View, California.

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR