Child prodigy becomes world`s youngest 3rd year tertiary student

A Singaporean child prodigy who made news last year when he passed the GCE Chemistry `O` Level Examination at the tender age of seven, has entered Singapore Polytechnic to become the youngest student ever to attend a third-year tertiary module anywhere in the world.

Ainan Celeste Cawley, of Irish-Malay descent, is studying a range of laboratory-based chemistry modules including first year, second year and third year options.

Initially, he is taking the Analytical and Physical Chemistry module before going into the first-year Inorganic and Organic Chemistry module, the second year Trace, Transition Elements and Complexes module and the third year Perfumery and Fragrance
Chemistry module.

Ainan, who has family roots in Malaysia in his grandmother Sabariah Abdul Wahab, 51, who hails from Parit Yani, Johor, sat for the examination in January last year at the British Council as a private candidate.

He has claimed a place in `The Singapore Book of Records` last year for being the youngest child ever to pass the GCE Chemistry `O` Level Examination from the London Edexcel Board.

The `O` Level exam is at, or above American High School Graduation standard and American Universities overseas recruit `O` level students directly onto their degree courses.

Following the ingenious feat, Ainan launched a global search for a university to allow him to further his studies on chemistry before the Singapore Polytechnic answered the call.

In his first laboratory sessions, Ainan has proven ...