Nine-year-old child genius to graduate university....He then plans to embark on a PhD program in electrical engineering and a Medicine Degree

By Jack Guy, CNN  Updated 2332 GMT (0732 HKT) November 14, 2019

(CNN) A child prodigy from Belgium is on course to gain a bachelor's degree at the tender age of 9.

Laurent Simons pictured here in 2018.

Laurent Simons is studying electrical engineering at the Eindhoven University of Technology (TUE) -- a tough course even for students of an average graduate age.

Described by staff as "simply extraordinary," Laurent is on course to finish his degree in December.

He then plans to embark on a PhD program in electrical engineering while also studying for a medicine degree, his father told CNN. His parents, Lydia and Alexander Simons, said they thought Laurent's grandparents were exaggerating when they said he had a gift, but his teachers soon concurred.

"They noticed something very special about Laurent," said Lydia. Laurent was given test after test as teachers tried to work out the extent of his talents. "They told us he is like a sponge," said Alexander.

While Laurent comes from a family of doctors, his parents have so far not received any explanation as to why their child prodigy is capable of learning so quickly.

But Lydia has her own theory. "I ate a lot of fish during the pregnancy," she joked. more