AINAN Cawley, eight, is now the youngest student to study at a polytechnic.

The Singapore chemistry prodigy, featured in the media last year, is studying four modules at Singapore Polytechnic, including perfumery and fragrance chemistry.

Ainan is still in primary school, but his parents plan to home-school him soon. He attends classes at the polytechnic two to three times a week.

He created a perfume for his mother for Mother's Day.

His father, writer Valentine Cawley, 39, said he had explained Ainan's needs to the poly. It proposed the modules as a start as they were 'safer'.

He said: 'Our intention is to equip him with the skills needed for a scientist... He will be doing all the laboratory-based chemistry courses.'

This article was first published in The Straits Times on May 13, 2008.