MDX’s youngest summer graduate aged just 14 has sights set on Oxford

Vera Cree hopes to use her talents to help children with Autism in future by providing AI solutions

A remarkable student has graduated from Middlesex University aged just 14 and followed in the footsteps of her mother.

Vera Cree has completed a Bachelor of Science in Information Systems at MDX just under twenty years after her mum Deborah also graduated from Middlesex University.

It is an incredible achievement as she graduated at least eight years earlier than most students.

When Vera moved from the USA to Kent last year where her mum grew up, she decided to study for a degree at Middlesex University. And Vera was able to complete the degree, which last three years, in only 12 months having already passing several advanced computer science courses at Harvard.

Her mum Deborah, who graduated from MDX in 2006 with a Bachelor of Engineering in Computer Networks, said: “Middlesex was always very invested in students, so I thought it would nice if Vera studied there and she agreed.

“It was great that she was continuing the legacy. When we returned to Middlesex University, it felt good to be back there after 20 years and to see my daughter graduate was very special.”

Since the age of three, Vera’s parents realised she was an exceptionally bright child as she learned to speak Spanish fluently while they were staying in the country and she was soon placed on a high ability programme at school in the US.

With her mother Deborah and grandfather Elijah Oguntade both working in IT, Vera developed a passion for computer science and programming while growing up in Indianapolis, USA.

“She’s always been a very curious child. She picked up a different language very quickly, and after a while we noticed she was very interested in programming, robotics and society in general. It all happened very quickly, we knew she was very bright since she was three, but we had no idea Vera would go as fast as she did. Whatever she was given, she tackled it, understood it and kept going. I am very proud and grateful to God for giving her the opportunity. Vera has worked hard for this and I’m just very glad she has made it.”

Deborah Cree

For Vera, she said her grandfather, who sadly passed away in July just after her graduation ceremony, was her inspiration and she plans to continue running the community interest company he set up called Remsund in his name.

Vera said: “My grandpa was among the first pioneers to bring computers into Africa, and he was a huge role model for me. He gave me my first introduction to computer science when I was nine. He couldn’t attend the graduation but he saw lots of videos, and he was very proud. The graduation ceremony was magical.”

Alongside her studies, Vera is learning the piano and enjoys art. She has no plans for a break after completing her degree and is now writing a thesis in providing artificial intelligence solutions for children on the autistic spectrum and hopes to develop this in a PhD at Oxford University.

Her sister younger sister Debbie has Autism which has motivated Vera to embark on this line of study. “Growing up with my sister, I learned a lot about autism and I can use that knowledge to help other children like her.”

Vera’s faith is also extremely important to her.

She added: “My favourite Bible verse is 4:13 ‘I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me’, and that is what is I live by.  I am very grateful to God, he was the one who made it happen.”

Find out more about studying Information Systems at Middlesex University.