A nine-year-old Belgian is shinning like a star as he prepares to graduate this December from the Eindhoven University of Technology with a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Electrical Engineering.
Laurent Simons, who University staff have described as ‘simply extraordinary,’ plans to do his PH.D in Electrical Engineering in the university, while he will also study for a Medicine degree, his father revealed during an interview with CNN.
The boy’s parents, Lydia and Alexander Simons, did not believe their son is a genius until his school teachers started reporting how he quickly understood and learnt things far above his age grade, meaning he had to complete school faster than his peers.
Laurent was given test after test as teachers tried to work out the extent of his talents and they were bewildered.
“They noticed something very special about Laurent,” said Lydia to CNN.
“They told us he is like a sponge. The absorption of information is no problem for Laurent. I think the focus will be on research and applying the knowledge to discover new things,” said Alexander his father.
Laurent comes from a family of doctors, but his mum has her own theory as to why her son is so intelligent.
“I ate a lot of fish during the pregnancy,” she joked.
The Eindhoven University of Technology says they have allowed Laurent to complete his course faster than other students while his parents say a lot of univeristies have approached them to let their son do his PH.D programme in their school.
“That is not unusual,” said Sjoerd Hulshof, education director of the TUE bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, in a statement.
“Special students that have good reasons for doing so can arrange an adjusted schedule. In much the same way we help students who participate in top sport.”
Hulshof praised Laurent as “simply extraordinary.”
“Laurent is the fastest student we have ever had here,” he said. “Not only is he hyper intelligent but also a very sympathetic boy.”
