Talented student becomes the youngest person to graduate from the University of Portsmouth

It marked a hat trick of success with Cathum following his twin sisters, Hannah and Emmal, who also graduated from the University of Portsmouth in 2014 with first class honours degrees in physics.

All the family were home schooled with Cathum starting his degree at just 16.

Cathum said: ‘My goal has always been to study medicine. Being home taught, I’ve never had lessons or lectures so university was a challenging environment to adapt to, but I managed to integrate well.

‘Most of the other people there were older but I was made to feel very welcome. I now feel ready for my next challenge – a medical degree.’

Cathum’s personal tutor and senior lecturer, Dr Qian An, added: ‘I am delighted that Cathum's achievements are being recognised in the broader community. He has been a proactive and focused student who had a clear idea of where he wanted to go in his future career.

‘It is very rare for someone to have received a first class honours degree at such a young age. I am of course impressed by his achievements, but not entirely surprised. I wish him every success for the future.’

All three siblings have displayed a remarkable academic aptitude with Hannah going on to study biosciences at University College London before specialising in cardiology at St Bartholomew’s Hospital. Emmal did a second degree in astrophysics at Keele University and is now a senior scientist at the National Physical Laboratory, working on planetary and environmental issues.

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Proud mum, Pam Safi, said: ‘Cathum went to the same university as his sisters but was only 16 – the youngest ever to take on a biomedical science degree. His first class honours degree is quite an achievement considering his age.’

Cathum says his main areas of interest are neuroscience and immunology and now wants to become a doctor. He he completed placements at the A&E department at Southampton General Hospital and the pathology department at Queen Alexandra Hospital.

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