WATERLOO — He's finished high school and has enrolled to study science at the University of Waterloo. Which is not unusual … except that he's 12.

Yes, you read that right. UW has given a scholarship to a really smart kid from Indonesia who taught himself to speak English and whose first name means scholar. For real.

He goes by Diki (short for Cendikiawan, last name Suryaatmadja) and he's the youngest UW student in recent memory, perhaps the youngest ever.

"I'm very excited but a bit nervous because of the transition in culture," he said, a day after arriving in Canada for the first time.

His first impression: "I think the people are very polite, friendly and reliable."

Diki dreams about inventing clean energy to help save the world, after he studies physics.

"Physics is a subject that can change the world," he said. He discovered it at 9. He likes observing patterns and contemplating the universe.

If you see him on campus say hi and chat. "Sometimes people rarely talk to me, except about the fact that I am the youngest kid."

Diki practises his English in part by telling jokes. He has mad math skills and a mind that impressed the university, which cites his intellect, maturity, and family support.

The school is making plans to support him socially. Academically there are no concerns.

"He is extremely talented or even gifted," said André Jardin, associate registrar of admissions. "We just want to see him be successful."

Diki will live near campus with his father, who is self-employed in business. He's been warned about the cold. He went skating once, before he got here.

"I tried to, but I keep falling," he said. "I think I need to wear full-body armour."

He has few friends his own age. He likes jogging and swimming and hide-and-seek and catch.

Oh and there's already a place he'd like to visit: Legoland, north of Toronto. It seems a good place to revel in being 12.

Jeff Outhit Jeff Outhit is a reporter, specializing in education, government, and data analysis. Email | Twitter

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