Kuwait English School Boy a Genius at Only 15 Years Old

Mohammed El-Bahnasawi (2nd from Left) has been awarded the “Cambridge Outstanding Achiever Awards, Top in the World” for achieving the highest mark recorded globally in his Cambridge IGCSE Mathematics examination (without coursework).

“We are very very proud of you” said KES Director, Rhoda Elizabeth Muhmood, adding that KES Chairman Mohammed Jassim Al Saddah is to present him with a special award.

The Cambridge International Examinations’ (CIE) prestigious Top in the World award recognises students who have received the highest result in the world in a Cambridge examination. The University of Cambridge International Curriculum provides students with lifelong skills and robust qualifications that are accepted and valued by universities and employers throughout the world.

Mohammed, a 15 year old Year 11 pupil sat the accelerated Cambridge IGCSE mathematics paper in June 2010, a year earlier than other students his age. World Champion Mohammed credited his success to his maths teachers Chris Glykys and Costas Kaimakkami.

"Mohammed is an extremely gifted and highly disciplined student who demonstrates a combination of high reasoning power and analytical skills who is often capable of generating ideas as well as an independent learner, self-initiator. His academic work is always of a very high standard," said Christakis Glykys, MSc "Mohammed is a gentle, polite and well-mannered young man who is a pleasure to teach. I wish him all the best in his future studies and life."

Mohammed was one of nineteen students in the accelerated class who completed the IGCSE Mathematics course in one year rather the normal two years. Sixteen students achieved a grade A* and the other three a grade A.

"Mohammed is one of the most naturally talented mathematicians we have had the pleasure of teaching over the last ten years or more" said Peter Unsworth, Head of Maths at Kuwait English School. “I would also like to thank the rest of the High School maths team here, as well as the proficient Junior numeracy department, for helping to coach this fine pupil through his earlier years with us. We would all like to wish Mohammed the very best of luck with his future studies", Mr Unsworth said.

Mohammed said he would like to dedicate his achievement to his family and the school. He entered Kuwait English School in Year 5, after attending several other schools in Kuwait.

Growing up with a gift at mathematics, Mohammed thought he would follow in his father's footsteps to become an engineer. “I think I inherited my maths ability from him”, Mohammed said. Mohammed said his father, a consultant engineer, encouraged him to be a doctor. ”My mother ( a paediatrician) discourages me from being a doctor to be an engineer!” But Mohammed's dream is to become a heart surgeon.

“My idol is Egyptian professor Magdi Yacoub. He is a world class cardiothoracic surgeon” Mohammed said. Sir Magdi is a consultant cardiothoracic surgeon at Harefield Hospital and has led a programme there cementing it as the leading transplant centre in the UK.

“When I knew about this person I was inspired by him”, Mohammed added. Sir Magdi reportedly decided to specialise in heart surgery after an aunt died of heart disease in her early 20s. Ironically, heart surgery on Mohammed’s aunt at the Chest Diseases Hospital sparked his interest in becoming a heart surgeon.

Mohammed expects to be studying for 6 years abroad to get his PhD before he starts working. He would like to study at Imperial College in London, where Sir Magdi is Professor of Cardiothoracic Surgery.

“I really hope to get a scholarship to achieve my goals”, he added. Mohammed already has physics, chemistry, biology and English as a second language IGCSE O levels also all with A star, and is considering taking A levels in biology, chemistry, physics and maths. Mohammed says on a normal day he studies for four hours a day, and as much as he can before an exam.

In his spare time, he plays football and participates as a striker in charity football tournaments, organised twice a year by KES Student Representative Council.

LWDLIK- Well done Mohammed wishing you all the best.

Thank you Hazel x