\n
A child prodigy from Belgium<\/strong><\/span> is on course to gain a bachelor\u2019s degree at the tender age of 9.<\/p>\nLaurent Simons is studying electrical engineering at the Eindhoven University of Technology (TUE) \u2014 a tough course even for students of an average graduate age.<\/p>\n
Described by staff as \u201csimply extraordinary,\u201d Laurent is on course to finish his degree in December.<\/p>\n
He then plans to embark on a PhD program in electrical engineering while also studying for a medicine degree, his father told CNN.<\/p>\n
His parents, Lydia and Alexander Simons, said they thought Laurent\u2019s grandparents were exaggerating when they said he had a gift, but his teachers soon concurred.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey noticed something very special about Laurent,\u201d said Lydia.<\/p>\n
Laurent was given test after test as teachers tried to work out the extent of his talents. \u201cThey told us he is like a sponge,\u201d said Alexander.<\/p>\n
While Laurent comes from a family of doctors, his parents have so far not received any explanation as to why their child prodigy is capable of learning so quickly.<\/p>\n
But Lydia has her own theory.<\/p>\n
\u201cI ate a lot of fish during the pregnancy,\u201d she joked.<\/p>\n
The TUE has allowed Laurent to complete his course faster than other students.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat is not unusual,\u201d said Sjoerd Hulshof, education director of the TUE bachelor\u2019s degree in electrical engineering, in a statement.<\/p>\n
\u201cSpecial 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hulshof said Laurent is \u201csimply extraordinary\u201d and praised the youngster.<\/p>\n
\u201cLaurent is the fastest student we have ever had here,\u201d he said. \u201cNot only is he hyper intelligent but also a very sympathetic boy.\u201d<\/p>\n
Laurent told CNN his favorite subject is electrical engineering and he\u2019s also \u201cgoing to study a bit of medicine.\u201d<\/p>\n
His progress has not gone unnoticed and he is already being sought out by prestigious universities around the world, although Laurent\u2019s family wouldn\u2019t be drawn on naming which of them he is considering for his PhD.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe absorption of information is no problem for Laurent,\u201d said his father.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think the focus will be on research and applying the knowledge to discover new things.\u201d<\/p>\n
While Laurent is evidently able to learn faster than most, his parents are being careful to let him enjoy himself too.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe don\u2019t want him to get too serious. He does whatever he likes,\u201d said Alexander. \u201cWe need to find a balance between being a child and his talents.\u201d<\/p>\n
Laurent said he enjoys playing with his dog Sammy and playing on his phone, like many young people.<\/p>\n
However, unlike most 9-year-olds, he has already worked out what he wants to do with his life: develop artificial organs.<\/p>\n
In the meantime, Laurent has to finish his bachelor\u2019s degree and choose which academic institution will play host to the next stage in his remarkable journey.<\/p>\n
Before that, he plans on taking a vacation to Japan for an undoubtedly well-deserved break.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
A child prodigy from Belgium is on course to gain a bachelor\u2019s degree at the tender age of 9. Laurent Simons is studying electrical engineering at the Eindhoven University of Technology (TUE) \u2014 a tough course even for students of an average graduate age. Described by staff as \u201csimply extraordinary,\u201d Laurent is on course to […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":745049,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[45],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-745048","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-odd-but-true"],"yoast_head":"\n
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