Every Thursday, Kwan joins more than 400 students for a general chemistry lecture taught by Sumod Pullarkat of NTU’s School of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology.
Theodore is not enrolled at the university and does not take exams or participate in laboratory sessions. Instead, he attends lectures as a guest of Pullarkat to pursue his interest in advanced chemistry, including molecular orbital theory, which uses quantum mechanics to explain how electrons behave in molecules.
He began attending NTU classes in August 2025, initially joining about three sessions a week. He regularly raises his hand and correctly answers Pullarkat’s questions, according to The Straits Times.
Theodore has shown an unusual aptitude for science from an early age. At six years and 10 months old, he became Singapore’s youngest candidate to earn an A in IGCSE chemistry, an O-Level equivalent qualification typically taken by students aged 14 to 16.
Now eight, he holds eight Singapore national records. He recently earned As in IGCSE physics and biology, becoming the country’s youngest candidate to sit for both examinations, according to Singapore news outlet Mothership. He also earned an A* in IGCSE mathematics.
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Theodore Kwan, 8, attends a chemistry lecture at Nanyang Technological University. Photo courtesy of NTU |
Christian Wolfrum, NTU deputy president and provost, said faculty members welcomed Theodore’s enthusiasm for learning.
“Having him in class with the other undergrads creates a new chemistry that can benefit everyone,” Wolfrum told NTU. “Talent knows no age bracket. Whether sparked early or later, it should always be nurtured. NTU is committed to make learning available for all who are ready to explore their potential and make an impact.”
Theodore’s opportunity to attend university lectures came through his mother Crystal Tang, a Ph.D. student at NTU’s medical school. Pullarkat learned about the boy’s interest in science while discussing work with his mother and invited him to attend his lectures as a guest.
“I thought that sitting in as a guest in my freshmen chemistry lectures would give Theodore an avenue to probe the depth of his interest in chemistry,” Pullarkat said.
The arrangement allows Theodore to explore university-level subjects without the pressure of exams or assessments. After his first class, Tang recalled him asking: “Can I attend lectures every day? Can I live in NTU?”
Students have also welcomed their unusually young classmate. Constance Han, a freshman studying environmental earth systems science, said Theodore brings energy to the lecture hall.
“I look forward to seeing him in our weekly lectures. Theodore’s bright smile and cheeky antics make the class exciting. Seeing him so happy to learn is energising for me,” she said.
Theodore’s parents are now considering overseas institutions where “he can progress according to his academic readiness.”
Tang, who homeschools him and his younger sister, told Singapore’s Zaobao that her son is still young and does not need to decide his future path yet. He could pursue science or eventually choose an entirely different field. “At this current stage, we as parents just want to provide him with many options in breadth and depth so that he can explore them on his own.”
NTU ranks 12th globally and joint third in Asia with the National University of Singapore in the 2026 QS World University Rankings.
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