DailyTech - World's Youngest Microsoft Certified Professional Dies At 16

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IT World's Youngest Microsoft Certified Professional Dies At 16
Tiffany Kaiser - January 16, 2012 9:29 AM

24 comment(s) - last by wordsworm.. on Feb 8 at 8:43 PM

Arfa Karim with Bill Gates (Source: tech.ratedsawj.com)

Arfa Karim, who became the world's youngest Microsoft certified professional in 2005 at the age of nine, passed away this weekend

A 16-year-old Microsoft certified professional, considered to be the youngest in the world with that title, passed away this weekend after suffering health complications since December.

Arfa Karim, who became the world's youngest Microsoft certified professional in 2005 at the age of nine, suffered an epileptic seizure and cardiac arrest on December 22, 2011 and had been in a coma since late December. She passed away this weekend in Pakistan after a tracheotomy complication led to bleeding in her throat on Saturday.

"We are grieving her loss but she was a strong child," said Karim's uncle. "She was God's gift to us and now she has returned to Him."

The Microsoft certified professional title is handed to those who are skilled in the use of Microsoft programs. After becoming a certified professional in 2005, Karim was invited to Microsoft's Redmond, Washington campus by Bill Gates himself. She toured the labs and met with Microsoft executives as well as Gates.

That same year, Karim received the Salaam Pakistan Youth Award from Pakistan's only Nobel Laureate Dr. Abdul Salam, and also won the Presidential Award for Pride of Performance.

After Karim fell ill, Gates offered to pay for her medical care and even suggested bringing her to the United States, but her doctors rejected the idea since she was on a ventilator.

The young prodigy now leaves many wondering what she could have accomplished in the field of information technology had she been given the opportunity.

"If you want to do something big in your life, you must remember that shyness is only the mind," said Karim in an interview with Seattle P-l. "If you think shy, you act shy. If you think confident, you act confident. Therefore never let shyness conquer your mind."

Source: News Pakistan

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Very Sad

By JasonMick

(blog) on 1/16/2012 10:04:24 AM , Rating: 4

At times like this we are reminded that while modern medicine has come a long ways, we still have so far to go.

Great article, Tiffany, and let's hope the tragic loss inspires other young people here in the U.S. and abroad to explore technology and to try to not let their medical conditions hold them back from living life to its fullest.

As a side, note Mr. Gates' support is very touching. While the guy of course was known as a bit of ruthless businessman, he's since become one of the most noble philanthropists of his era. When some rich tech executives like Larry Ellison are blowing their money on yachts and women (or in another unnamed recently deceased tech billionaire's case, died without giving virtual anything to charity), its important not to underappreciate the meaning of what Mr. Gates is doing, particularly when he has swayed several young tech icons like Mark Zuckerberg to pledge their fortunes to charity.

RE: Very Sad

By Tony Swash on 1/16/2012 10:17:28 AM , Rating: 4

How utterly sad. The older I get the more precious life seems. I feel for her poor parents, losing a child must be the hardest thing in the world.

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RE: Very Sad

By Lugaidster on 1/16/2012 10:27:26 AM , Rating: 2

I always feel bad when someone young passes away, even more so when they have so much to give. Life's so fragile... RIP Arfa.

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RE: Very Sad

By Just Tom on 1/16/2012 11:04:10 AM , Rating: 2

What is the point of knocking Ellison in response to this tragic story? You do realize that Ellison has donated hundreds of millions of dollars to medical research? That he has also signed Gates' Giving Pledge, promising to donate 95% of his wealth?

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RE: Very Sad

By Ringold on 1/16/2012 12:26:55 PM , Rating: 2

quote:
At times like this we are reminded that while modern medicine has come a long ways, we still have so far to go.

I suspect, but could be wrong, that Pakistan isn't exactly on the leading edge of medical science, which makes it all the more sad. Pakistan is a place of great potential compared to some basket cases around the world, but its wracked by what could almost be called civil war, with its own Taliban and other groups setting off bombs and assassinating moderates all over the place, and the military always one step from overthrowing civilian government.

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RE: Very Sad

By myhipsi on 1/16/2012 1:37:42 PM , Rating: 3

quote:
As a side, note Mr. Gates' support is very touching. While the guy of course was known as a bit of ruthless businessman, he's since become one of the most noble philanthropists of his era. When some rich tech executives like Larry Ellison are blowing their money on yachts and women (or in another unnamed recently deceased tech billionaire's case, died without giving virtual anything to charity)

I find posts like this rather annoying. It's wonderful that Bill Gates is a charitable individual, but you completely disregard his most important contribution to the world, MICROSOFT!!! He has changed the world infinitely more by being a "ruthless businessman" than he ever will by being charitable. Then you go on to insult the deceased by saying that Steve Jobs didn't give "virtually anything to charity". Steve Jobs did more to change the world for the better than most "charitable" individuals will ever dream of.

Sure there are some wealthy individuals who have amassed their wealth through ill-gotten gains, but most, including the likes of Bill Gates and Steve Jobs have created so much new wealth in the world that their billions are but a small fraction of what they created.

Charity is great, but don't discount entrepreneurs and their substantial contributions to the world.

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RE: Very Sad

By Mitch101 on 1/16/2012 4:35:50 PM , Rating: 1

A chance at Life is greater than your iPod.

I would sooner choose the charitable contributions that the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation have done to that douche bag Steve Jobs. You may as well be praising hitler for his contributions to technological advancements while overlooking his genocidal view.

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RE: Very Sad

By B3an on 1/16/2012 8:59:34 PM , Rating: 2

When i think of Steve Jobs i always think of Hitler afterwards... Funny that.

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RE: Very Sad

By lagomorpha on 1/17/2012 1:51:24 PM , Rating: 2

That's odd, when I think of Hitler he always reminds me of Steve Jobs.

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RE: Very Sad

By clhathat on 1/17/2012 4:47:31 AM , Rating: 1

really?? An article about the death of a 16 year old girl and the 8th comment is already about how Steve Jobs is a douchebag and how he compares to hitler... while maintaining a "2" rating
this is absolutely shameful for dailytech

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RE: Very Sad

By FaaR on 2/8/2012 4:21:46 PM , Rating: 1

I'm no fan of Steve Jobs (he seems to have been quite the sociopath really), but actually comparing him to Hitler, seriously, what the FUCK is wrong with you?

It's not only that you're so, so wrong here, but the utter disrespect you show towards all the victims of the Nazi regime by making such an inane comparison, it just boggles the mind really.

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RE: Very Sad

By DeluxeTea on 1/16/2012 11:01:03 PM , Rating: 2

What did Jobs give that didn't have strings or a price tag attached to it? That's right, nothing.

On the other hand, the Gates foundation have donated millions, if not billions, to plenty of institutions dedicated to helping our less fortunate fellowmen and developing cures for deadly illnesses. Saving a life is better than making a new gadget - the person you save could have contributed something great to mankind. There is more honor in funding ways to prevent malaria than selling overpriced gadgets to overbearing hipsters.

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RE: Very Sad

By wordsworm on 2/8/2012 8:43:26 PM , Rating: 2

Some people give and like to take the spotlight while they do it. I have nothing against this. But there are also people who believe they ought to be anonymous when they give to charity. It's not possible to rule out that Steve Jobs was the latter.

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RE: Very Sad

By monitorjbl on 1/16/2012 6:18:11 PM , Rating: 2

Well, she was at a hospital in Pakistan. I have a feeling that increased the chances of her dying to something as basic as a tracheotomy. Not that it doesn't happen in the more advanced countries, but the odds weren't in her favor in Pakistan.

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RE: Very Sad

By Gondor on 1/17/2012 2:29:21 AM , Rating: 2

I wouldn't consider tracheotomy a very basic procedure - no more so than any kind of surgery. Complications can arise anywhere, especially with a patient that is unable to respond and convey the information because she is in a coma.

I don't care about the M$ certificate part but it is unfortunate that a young person died.

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RE: Very Sad

By monitorjbl on 1/17/2012 10:03:13 AM , Rating: 2

While it isn't something I'd want a layman doing to me personally, tracheotomies have been performed for thousands of years. They aren't terribly complicated, but I imagine some practice is necessary to get it right. Have a look at this (especially the 0% mortality rate in advanced countries): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tracheotomy

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Is it just me?

By amanojaku on 1/16/2012 11:16:27 AM , Rating: 2

I haven't been able to vote on a comment in about a week. I can post, but I can't vote. Weird...

RE: Is it just me?

By Rukkian on 1/16/2012 12:14:14 PM , Rating: 2

I am getting the same thing, I thought it was something I did!

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RE: Is it just me?

By BruceLeet on 1/16/2012 12:27:22 PM , Rating: 2

Tell me about it, I couldn't log in (login button was broken) just after CES ended.

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Sad publicity stunt

By KentState on 1/16/2012 11:45:17 AM , Rating: 2

Yes, it's sad that someone young passed away, but why does it really matter if she had a MCP certificate? They are relatively easy to get and I'm sure there are many kids around the world that could achieve this. To me, this is just a way for MS to tie in their name and make a little publicity out of it.

RE: Sad publicity stunt

By V-Money on 1/16/2012 1:30:24 PM , Rating: 2

I agree with what you're saying, but in all fairness, she really liked Bill Gates.

quote:
Afterward, Arfa described Gates as an "ideal personality," explaining that he had been second only to Disneyland on her list of things she wanted to see in the United States.

I don't think Microsoft forced her hand in any way for the publicity. Here's an article from '05 http://www.seattlepi.com/business/article/In-smart...

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RE: Sad publicity stunt

By rameshms on 1/17/2012 2:28:35 PM , Rating: 2

quote:
I'm sure there are many kids around the world that could achieve this

There is a huge difference between saying and really doing it..
Do not insult her memory by taking away what she achieved..
Things are very different in 3rd world countries.. Resources that are easy to obtain or taken for granted is not available for kids in such nations..

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