Apple COO Sabih Khan's Education: The Degrees That Helped Him Rise At Apple

News18

17-07-2025

From Moradabad to Silicon Valley, Sabih Khan's global rise as Apple COO is rooted in a strong educational journey spanning Tufts, RPI, and early exposure across continents.
Apple's newly appointed Chief Operating Officer (COO), Sabih Khan, is now one of the most powerful figures in global tech, but his story began thousands of miles away, in the small city of Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh. His educational journey, which spans three countries and top-tier institutions, played a huge role in preparing him for this leadership role at one of the world's biggest companies.
Born in 1966 in Moradabad, Sabih spent his early childhood in India. But his life took a turn when his family moved to Singapore. This move exposed him to new cultures, languages, and ways of thinking at a young age — something that would later help him manage teams and operations across continents.
Later, Khan moved to the United States for higher studies. He enrolled at Tufts University, a respected institution in Massachusetts. While most students focus on one area of study, Sabih decided to take on a rare challenge — earning dual Bachelor's degrees in Mechanical Engineering and Economics. This unique combination set him apart from others right from the start.
Blending Engineering With Business Thinking
Why this combination? His degree in Mechanical Engineering gave him a deep understanding of how things work, from machines to complex systems. This would later help him tackle real-world problems in manufacturing and product development. On the other hand, his Economics degree taught him how to think strategically about markets, costs, supply chains, and business growth.
But Sabih didn't stop there. After Tufts, he pursued a Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), one of America's oldest and most prestigious engineering schools. At RPI, he deepened his technical skills, learning how to solve complex problems, analyse systems, and innovate in engineering processes. This advanced education helped him build strong relationships with Apple's product development and engineering teams later in his career.
An Education That Fueled A 30-Year Career At Apple
Before joining Apple, Sabih gained practical experience at GE Plastics (a division of General Electric), where he worked in technical and operations roles. His academic background helped him quickly grasp large-scale manufacturing systems, preparing him for the kind of global operations he would later manage at Apple.
In 1995, he joined Apple. Over the next three decades, Sabih quietly worked behind the scenes, helping build and manage the company's massive supply chain and manufacturing networks. His deep understanding of engineering and economics helped Apple deliver products like the iPhone and MacBook at scale and with the highest quality.
Now, as Apple's COO, Sabih Khan's story shows how the right mix of education and experience can prepare someone for extraordinary leadership. From a small city in India to the heart of Silicon Valley, his journey is proof that education is a powerful tool, one that can shape not just careers but the future of global innovation.
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