Youngest university student, 9, drops out over conflict with TU/Eindhoven
Laurent Simons, a 9-year-old from Amsterdam, immediately stopped his studies at the Eindhoven University of Technology. The boy was on track to be the youngest ever graduate of the Electrical Engineering course, but will not finish his studies due to a conflict with the university, NOS reports.
In a statement, the Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) said that there was a disagreement with Laurent's parents about the planned timetable. According to the university, it was unrealistic to have Laurent graduate from the course before his 10th birthday on December 26th. "The parents have decided not to accept this. We regret that", the TU/e said.
Laurent's father told newspaper Het Parool that the course leaders accused the boy of plagiarism. "He would also have failed an oral exam that Laurent had not even taken", the father said. His mother said that the university suggested that they as parents put too much pressure on Laurent. After a conversation with the rector, his parents decided to remove Laurent from the program.
On his Instagram page, Laurent called the university liars:
