Udgam School’s Arham Om Talsania sets GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS as the World’s Youngest Computer Programmer
Ahmedabad: A Class II student, Arham Om Talsania, from Ahmedabad based Udgam School For Children, has created a Guinness World Record by clearing the powerful Python programming language exam at the age of six. The exam was conducted at Pearson VueTest Center authorized by Microsoft on January 23, 2020. The test, which is difficult to crack by many buddy engineers, has been passed by this incredible boy, thus becoming the world’s youngest computer programmer. (See the record at https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/415221-youngest-computer-programmer)
Arham has broken the earlier Guinness record of seven-year-old Muhammad Hamza Shahzad, a British boy of Pakistani origin. In an exam where a candidate needed 700 out of 1000 marks to get the prestigious certificate, ArhamTalsania, now turned 7, had scored 900 and got recognized as ‘Microsoft Technology Associate’.
Speaking on the achievement of the school student, Mr. Manan Choksi, Executive Director, Udgam School for Children, said “This is truly a proud moment for us. Python programming language is also widely used in the fields of Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Robotics, and IoT (Internet of Things). In fact, as per NCERT, AI and Python are listed for the syllabus of class 8th and 9th. At the age of six years, the logical structure and coding expertise that Arhampossesses are incredible. We can see him as a genius in making and wishing him all the success for his great career”.
Arham, son of software engineer parents, was much interested in computers and tablets since he was an infant. He started operating a tablet when he wasn’t even two years old. His hunger for different computing devices was very high, and by his 3rd birthday, he ended up using all types of Operating Systems – Android, Windows, and iOS. By the age of 5, he already knew all the standard programming apps that children learn once they are in class VI, such as Scratch and Tynker. Since he has much interest in playing video games and wanted to build his own video games, these apps were not enough, hence learned python.
This youngest computer programmer sees his father as a role model. His father, Mr. Om Talsania is currently working as a Technology Head for one of the U.S.-based multinational companies. Explaining the journey of achieving the feat, a proud father said “He loves playing videogames and wanted to build his own. I showed him some of my own work, and he got inspired to build his own game using Python. I started giving him basic training in Python programming, and soon, he picked up quickly. He started learning how to build games using Python programming language.
When he finished building a couple of small games, we thought it would be a great idea to get his knowledge tested by professionals. Hence we applied for a professional certification, where he was required to give a demonstration of his knowledge by appearing in a test at a Microsoft authorized test center. He successfully completed that endeavor and got recognized as ‘Microsoft Technology Associate’ which is a very high level of professional-level certification that usually IT/Computer Engineers can achieve, which he completed at the age of 6”.
Currently, Arham is building his own videogame. He is working on both 2D and 3D versions at the same time and planning to release it very soon. He aims to be a Technology Entrepreneur. He wants to build his games, software, and even robots. His vision is that technology changes our life and takes us into a futuristic world.
Speaking about the role played by the school, Mr. OmTalsania, father of ArhamTalsania, said “Udgam School for Children has always been technologically much more advanced than other schools. They have got Computer and iPad classes for KG students. Technology is not just fun; it also requires a great deal of logical reasoning. The school has programs like LogIQids, which introduces the concept of logical reasoning to the students from Sr Kg. The school uses online platforms like Extramarks and especially Microsoft Teams that introduces the kids to enterprise-class computing. Microsoft Teams is something that usually corporates in IT Industry use. Using it as a 1st-grade student really opens up the Kid’s exposure to the IT industry-standard platforms. All this helps and gets the student ready for the world of coding and technology since childhood.”