# Wael Ghonim > Egyptian activist and engineer **Wikidata**: [Q312823](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q312823) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wael_Ghonim) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/wael-ghonim ## Summary Wael Ghonim is an Egyptian activist, engineer, and computer scientist who gained international recognition as a significant figure in the 2011 Egyptian political landscape. Born in Cairo, he is best known for receiving the Profile in Courage Award in 2011 on behalf of the people of Egypt. Beyond his activism, he has established a career in the technology sector, working for organizations such as GV (Google Ventures) and Quora. ## Biography * **Born:** December 23, 1980 in Cairo, Egypt * **Nationality:** Egypt * **Education:** * Cairo University * The American University in Cairo (Master of Business Administration) * **Known for:** Activism, computer science, and engineering * **Employer(s):** Tahrir Academy, GV, Quora * **Residence:** San Francisco * **Field(s):** Computer Science, Politics * **Languages:** Arabic (native), English ## Contributions Wael Ghonim's career bridges the gap between technology and social activism. While specific technical projects are not detailed in the provided data, his professional contributions include roles as a computer scientist and employee at major technology entities including GV (Google Ventures) and Quora. He is also associated with Tahrir Academy. His most documented contribution is in the realm of civil engagement. In 2011, Ghonim was a central figure recognized during the Egyptian political events. His leadership and involvement were formally acknowledged when he received the Profile in Courage Award in 2011. This accolade was awarded to him and "the people of Egypt," highlighting his role as a representative of a broader movement. Ghonim maintains a substantial digital footprint, utilizing platforms like YouTube, Twitter, and Instagram to disseminate information. His YouTube channel, started in September 2011, has accumulated millions of views (over 9.8 million as of late 2023), serving as a platform for his commentary and outreach. ## FAQs ### Q: What awards has Wael Ghonim received? A: Wael Ghonim received the Profile in Courage Award in 2011. The award was presented to him and the people of Egypt, recognizing their courage during the political events of that year. ### Q: What is Wael Ghonim's educational background? A: Wael Ghonim attended Cairo University and The American University in Cairo, where he earned a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree. ### Q: What companies has Wael Ghonim worked for? A: According to the provided records, Wael Ghonim has been employed by GV (Google Ventures), Quora, and Tahrir Academy. ### Q: What is Wael Ghonim's nationality? A: Wael Ghonim is an Egyptian citizen. He was born in Cairo and his native language is Arabic. ## Why They Matter Wael Ghonim represents a unique convergence of technological expertise and political activism. His significance lies in his ability to leverage his background as a computer scientist and engineer to influence social and political discourse. By receiving the Profile in Courage Award in 2011, he was internationally validated as a symbol of resilience and change within Egypt. His ongoing relevance is sustained through his substantial social media influence, boasting millions of followers across platforms like Twitter (over 2.8 million) and Instagram. This digital presence allows him to continue engaging with a global audience. Furthermore, his transition into roles within major tech organizations like GV and Quora demonstrates the integration of activist leadership into the broader corporate technology landscape. He matters not just for what he achieved in 2011, but for embodying the role of the "tech activist" in the modern era. ## Notable For * **Profile in Courage Award (2011):** Recognized alongside the people of Egypt for political courage. * **Tech Industry Leadership:** Held positions at GV, Quora, and Tahrir Academy. * **Social Media Influence:** Amassed a following of over 2.9 million on Twitter and significant engagement on YouTube. * **Academic Credentials:** Holds an MBA from The American University in Cairo. * **Global Residency:** While native to Cairo, he has established residence in San Francisco, linking Egyptian activism with Silicon Valley. ## Body ### Early Life and Education Wael Ghonim was born on December 23, 1980, in Cairo, Egypt. He attended local educational institutions for his higher studies. He is an alumnus of **Cairo University**, a public university in Giza. Additionally, he pursued graduate studies at **The American University in Cairo**, where he obtained a **Master of Business Administration (MBA)**. ### Professional Career Ghonim is identified professionally as a computer scientist, engineer, and politician. His career trajectory includes significant roles in the technology sector. He has served as an employee or affiliate of: * **GV:** The venture capital arm of Alphabet Inc. * **Quora:** The question-and-answer website. * **Tahrir Academy:** An educational platform. His professional base has shifted from Egypt to the United States, with records indicating a residence in **San Francisco**. ### Political Activism and Recognition Ghonim is widely described as an Egyptian activist. His most notable recognition came in **2011**, when he was awarded the **Profile in Courage Award**. The award citation notably included "Wael Ghonim and the people of Egypt," linking his personal identity directly to the collective actions of the Egyptian populace during that time. He is also classified as a "politician" in structured data records. ### Digital Presence and Media Ghonim maintains a robust online identity. He operates a verified **Twitter account** (@Ghonim), created in March 2009, which has tracked follower counts ranging from 2.9 million to over 3 million in recent years. His **YouTube channel**, created in September 2011, features content in Arabic and English, accumulating over 98 million views by late 2023. **Aliases and Identifiers:** He is known by several aliases, including "Wael Said Abbas Ghonim" and various transliterations in Chinese, Russian, and Arabic (وائل غنيم سعيد غنيم). He holds identifiers in major library and authority systems, including the Library of Congress (no2011157522) and VIAF (186786841). ## References 1. [Source](https://www.jfklibrary.org/events-and-awards/profile-in-courage-award/award-recipients/wael-ghonim-and-the-people-of-egypt-2011) 2. International Standard Name Identifier 3. Virtual International Authority File 4. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013 5. Google Knowledge Graph 6. Quora 7. YouTube API