This archive report was first published on 11 December 2019.
Laurent Simons, a 9-year-old prodigy who made headlines for pursuing an electrical engineering degree, has unexpectedly dropped out of the Eindhoven University of Technology (TUE) in the Netherlands.
As reported in November, Simons' parents had anticipated him graduating before the end of 2019. However, a disagreement between the university and the Simons family led to Laurent terminating his studies.
University officials recommended that Simons complete his course in mid-2020, citing outstanding exams. However, his father, Alexander, insisted that the son graduate in December 2019.
The university maintained that the engineering course typically lasts for at least three years, but the father wanted Laurent to complete it within 10 months.
Interestingly, Alexander Simons refuted the university's claims, revealing that he had received an offer for Laurent to study for a doctorate at a university in the United States.
“Sometimes you have to make choices,” Alexander told CNN, adding: “If he lets it go, you never know if he will get that opportunity again.”
