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Kuala Lumpur, 1 October 2024 – Universiti Malaya (UM) has made history by admitting 12-year-old Izz Imil Shahrom, the youngest undergraduate in the institution’s history since its establishment in 1962. Izz, who will be pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics, has captured the nation’s attention as a young prodigy, drawing comparisons to the fictional character Sheldon Cooper from The Big Bang Theory.
UM confirmed Izz’s admission after he successfully passed interviews conducted by a special committee, with final approval from the university senate. While the excitement surrounding Izz’s remarkable achievement is palpable, the university has requested privacy for the young student to ensure his smooth transition into university life.
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A Child Prodigy with a Unique Gift
Izz Imil, who has been described as a savant, was diagnosed with mild autism and hyperlexia – the ability to read at an advanced level without formal instruction. His mother, Ilyah Abdul Aziz, shared that Izz had difficulty speaking as a child but demonstrated a deep fascination with numbers from the age of three. By five, Izz had already completed Form 4-level mathematics and chemistry studies.
At the age of six, Izz enrolled in Form 1 under the Permata Pintar programme, a national initiative aimed at nurturing prodigies. This programme was founded by Rosmah Mansor in 2009 at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM). Upon hearing of Izz’s latest achievement, Rosmah expressed her pride and admiration, recalling her impression of his brilliance when they first met.
Izz’s academic accolades also include additional certificates from the prestigious John Hopkins Centre for Talented Youth. He completed his O-Levels at the age of eight and his A-Levels at just 11, setting him on a fast track to academic stardom.
A Bright Future Ahead
With dreams of becoming a leading scientist in Malaysia, Izz continues to impress with his extraordinary intellect and passion for learning. As he embarks on his university journey, many are eager to see how this young genius will shape the future of science in Malaysia.
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