Gifted kid attributes success to dad

AT the age of 10, Viventhraa Rao was already solving secondary school Math-ematics problems.

It was his father Prakash Rao who realised the boy had the potential when he decided to tutor him at home.

“My father discovered that I had the special ability when he started teaching me Year Four Maths when I was in Year Three. When he realised that I could solve the problems, he continued teaching me Maths from the Forms One, Two and Three syllabi,” said Viventhraa.

By the end of Year Six, he sat for the IGCSE exams, after which he applied for entry to college.

“I was always interested in Maths, and I am glad my father coached me,” said Viventhraa, who is now 16.

With his IGCSE results, Viventhraa scored a place at KDU University College, where he is currently taking a Diploma in Computer Studies.

Asked if age was a barrier when it came to making new friends, Viventhraa said: “Although I am the youngest at college, it is not difficult to fit in as people here are very friendly. I have also joined clubs at the college, and participated in their IT related events where I have met like-minded people.”

He added that he recently had an internship with an IT company.

“It was a good opportunity for me to learn and gain some industrial experience. I am glad I had the opportunity to work as that was part of the requirement to graduate.”

Although he moved on to tertiary education earlier than his peers, Viventhraa said that he did not regret his education pathway.

“I may have left school earlier, but I don’t think I am missing out much compared to my friends who are of the same age, because I enjoy what I do.

“After all, I do go out for movies with them sometimes, and in the evenings, I still play football in the park with my neighbours.”

Graduating this month, Viventhraa said that he hoped to further his studies in Software Engineering.

“I hope to be a programmer in the future and create mobile applications. I believe that the mobile industry is a big area and there is a lot to be explored.”

He added, “My father is an operations manager in the IT industry as well, so I suppose it is a natural progression of career choice and interest for me.

With an offer letter from the Australian National University in Canberra, Australia, Viventhraa said he was still undecided on where he would be pursuing his undergraduate degree. He has also applied to the Imperial College London in the United Kingdom.