The University of Antwerp awarded 11-year-old Lauren Simons a bachelor’s degree in physics, making him the second-youngest graduate in history. Michael Kearny, who received his diploma in 1994 at age 10, is the youngest graduate.
Simons, who finished the three-year programme in a year, received a summa cum laude diploma (given to the student with the highest distinction). He received an 85% in his physics graduation. Simons is currently interested in pursuing a Master’s degree in Physics at a Flemish university.
Laurent Simons, a native of Ostend on the coast of Flanders, graduated from high school at the age of eight. In less than two years, he graduated from high school.
“Simons has been studying for his bachelor’s degree in physics since March 2020, and he now graduated with 85 per cent, which is the highest distinction,” said an Antwerp University spokesperson to the Brussels Times.
“This year, he also took some courses from the master’s programme. After the summer, he will officially start his master’s degree,” the spokesperson said. Simons will also be working on getting a PhD.
The child prodigy said he wanted to know everything about classical mechanics and quantum physics immediately. Simons has said that his goal is to make humans immortal. “I want to be able to replace as many body parts as possible with mechanical parts. I have mapped out a path to get there.”
Simons, who has previously studied at UGent, also attained credits from Eindhoven University but dropped out in 2019 due to disagreements with the university. Simons’ parents wanted him to be the first university graduate under 10, for which Simons would have to graduate before his birthday on December 26. However, the university said that Simons needed to complete many more exams before he could graduate. His parents refused the university’s proposed timeline for Simons to graduate by mid-2020.
Simons began studying for his bachelor’s degree in physics in March 2020, and he has since finished with the highest distinction, 85%, according to a representative of Antwerp University who spoke to the Brussels Times.
The spokeswoman said Simons also took a few master’s programme classes this year and will formally begin his master’s degree after the summer. At the same time, he will be pursuing a PhD.
The young genius declared that he was eager to learn everything about quantum physics and classical mechanics. Simons stated that he wanted to create immortal people. “I want to be able to substitute mechanical components for as many body parts as I can. I have a route planned to get there.
Simons, who had previously attended UGent, also had credits from Eindhoven University; however, she withdrew in 2019 owing to issues with the school. Simons’ parents intended for him to graduate from college before turning 10, meaning he had to do so before his birthday on December 26.
According to the institution, Lauren Simons had to pass many more exams before he could graduate. His parents rejected the university’s suggested graduation date of mid-2020.
