Abyan Coan Dulloo at 16 Yrs, The Youngest Laureate of Our Time

At just 16 years old, Abyan Coan Dulloo has etched his name into the history books as the youngest laureate in our nation. A product of unwavering familial support and dedication, he insists that while he may be gifted, raw talent alone is not sufficient without hard work and sacrifices.

Abyan reflected on his journey with a mixture of pride and humility. “There have been sacrifices, ups and downs, and moments of discouragement,” he confided.

Yet his determination never wavered; he set his sights on becoming a laureate and achieved this remarkable feat as the sole laureate from St. Esprit College in the cohort for the Higher School Certificate (HSC) of 2024.

On the morning of Saturday, February 8, Defi Media interviewed Abyan at his home in Highlands, where he was surrounded by his supportive family.

His parents, Salim and Zarine Dulloo, both educators, and his two younger sisters, Imaane and Iqura, aged five and two respectively, create a warm and welcoming atmosphere.

Joy and pride radiate from the family as we settle into the open-air living room, setting the stage for our conversation.

‘Who is Abyan?”, feels almost redundant; it’s a question he’s likely answered countless times since the announcement of the laureates.

Yet, Abyan answered graciously, “I am Abyan Coan Dulloo, a laureate of St. Esprit College, with an Additional Scholarship in the scientific stream.

I began my primary education at Aryan Vedic Government School, followed by secondary at MGSS Solferino, before transferring to St. Esprit.”

When probed about his reputation as a gifted student, he acknowledged it but maintaieds that the journey has not been straightforward.

“Yes, I’m considered gifted, but the path has been challenging—characterised by much hard work and many sacrifices,” he explained.

Behind the glasses that lend him a distant resemblance to Harry Potter, he spoke insightfully about his early maturity, noting how both teachers and peers recognised his intellect from a young age.

Yet, he emphasised, talent alone does not guarantee success.

“One can be gifted, but it’s vital to nurture that talent. You must work diligently, harness your abilities, and sometimes that extra effort is what makes all the difference.”

After earning his Primary School Achievement Certificate, Abyan found himself at MGSS Solferino.

Reflecting on that time, he shared, “Despite the excellent teachers, I found the intellectual stimulation lacking.”

It was during Grade 8 that he bravely entered the School Certificate (SC) examinations, attempting eight subjects.

At just 13 years old, he achieved seven units, earning his place at St. Esprit College.

“At St. Esprit, I discovered a healthy yet demanding competition among brilliant peers, which drove me to excel from Grade 12 onwards,” he asserted.

For Abyan, everything shifted during Grade 12 when he recommitted himself entirely.

“At St. Esprit, the culture, discipline, and camaraderie shaped my academic journey. We could compete intellectually while maintaining mutual respect,” he explained.

Did you feel pressured after achieving those seven units?

“Yes, there was certainly pressure. Everyone was asking, ‘Will you be the laureate?’ But this pressure spurred me on and became motivation,” he admitted.

Despite his achievements, Abyan recognised a marked difference between the SC and HSC.

“At SC, I lacked maturity and awareness of the marks needed to succeed. At HSC, I needed to be meticulous, leaving nothing to chance,” he recounted.

He candidly admited to stumbling in his journey, grappling with setbacks that left him disheartened at times.

“I had moments where I didn’t meet my own expectations—test results or mock exams where my peers outperformed me.

Those moments were discouraging, but they also fuelled my resolve to work even harder.

I redoubled my efforts every single day, even on my birthday,” he reflected.

The sacrifices were many, particularly in his upper years.

“I hardly socialised, focusing mainly on revision. I missed many weddings and outings with friends,” he admited.

When asked if he had any hobbies, he replied, “Not really. In lower secondary, I played football and hiked to unwind before studying. But I put all that aside in my final year.

Even my free time revolved around studying to achieve my goal.” Despite the intensity of his commitment, Abyan felt no regrets. “These were necessary sacrifices for success.”

Now that he has attained his ambition, he is quick to express his gratitude to those who supported him throughout this journey.

“I owe a great deal to my parents and my teachers for believing in my potential as a laureate,” he said sincerely.

Above all, he credited his faith in God.

“I thank God. Without His grace, none of this would have been possible. Prayer was part of my daily routine, seeking His help to achieve my goals.” His prayers have indeed been answered.

Looking to the future, Abyan aspirations lie in software development, particularly in artificial intelligence.

“I haven’t yet chosen where I want to study, but I hope to return to Mauritius afterward,” he explained.

He dreams of contributing back to his country, aiming to work for a reputable company that recognises his skills.

“My ultimate goal is to give back to Mauritius and my parents all they have provided me,” he shares with earnest resolve.

Additionally, he envisions gaining extensive experience in the IT sector before potentially establishing his own firm.

“Having received a state scholarship, I feel a moral obligation to give back to my country,” he added thoughtfully.

Abyan has sage advice for the youth of today.

“We live in a tech-driven, social media-saturated world. To reach your goals, it’s crucial to stay focused and set clear boundaries.

Success requires consistency, rigorous discipline, and the ability to make sacrifices.” He uses himself as an example, reflecting, “I had to let go of parts of my adolescence, but that was the price I paid for my ambitions.”

His Father Salim Dulloo: “We Never Stopped Believing in Him”

What is the secret to his son’s success?

Abyan’s father, Salim Dulloo, a physical education teacher at John Kennedy College, answered decisively: “It rests on three fundamental pillars: motivation, discipline, and consistency.

Once you instill these principles in a child, much of the work is done.” Motivation initiated the process, although it’s fleeting, moving towards discipline.

“To help a child, appreciating the importance of discipline is crucial. Discipline is about continuing to act regardless of motivation until it becomes routine.”

Salim strongly attested, “Discipline is the engine of personal growth. As a child matures, so does their self-esteem and confidence. That’s when the first successes begin to surface.”

It’s a gradual process, he explained, “We set both short-term and long-term goals, collaboratively establishing these with our child and celebrating each victory.”

Acknowledging Abyan’s taste for success, he emphasised, “That consistency paved the way to his ultimate goal: becoming a laureate today.”

How have Abyan’s parents supported him on his journey?

“Motivation has always been at the forefront. From an early age, we encouraged him, initially using external factors before this motivation blossomed inwardly.

We instilled self-confidence and anticipated his successes. Believing in him was never in question.”

When asked if he’s worried about sacrificing his son’s adolescence, Salim reflected:

“That’s a tough question. Abyan is best placed to answer it. But I can say we supported him, especially when he demonstrated his exceptional academic capabilities.”

He acknowledged the indispensable role sacrifices play in reaching high goals, reminding us that “Abyan is still only 16. He can now enjoy his adolescence more peacefully, buoyed by this remarkable achievement.”

Sacrifices for the Parents, Too

Salim shared that he deliberately paused construction on their family home in Highlands to prevent noise pollution, allowing Abyan to study undisturbed.

“This choice also saved me financially, sparing me from worrying about funding his higher education. We’ll resume building after he leaves for his studies,” he noted with a sense of resolve.

Zarine Dulloo, Abyan’s mother and an English teacher at Aleemiah College, beams with pride.

“I am extremely proud. On results day, I couldn’t bring myself to go to work; I wanted to be there for him, fearing he might not hear his name being announced.”

She prepared him for the possibility of failure, telling him, “If you don’t succeed, it’s alright. You can always try again.”

Zarine played a crucial role in Abyan’s learning, particularly in his General Paper, addressing the significant gap caused by his skipping grades.

“He immersed himself in intensive reading to enhance his vocabulary, devouring scientific journals and studying past laureates’ essays.

His comprehension abilities were outstanding, his writing structure excellent, particularly in literature,” she explained.

When asked whether her son possesses a gift, she admited:

“We haven’t done any IQ tests, but I know he has worked incredibly hard, unlike many other children. Perhaps he has a gift, but God has certainly given him this opportunity.”

Salim interjected, echoing the sentiment, “Ronaldo said:

‘Talent without hard work is nothing,’ and there’s another saying: ‘Hard work beats talent when talent does not work hard.’ You can be talented, but without the hard work, it leads nowhere.”

Zarine added, “We see so many children at school with potential, but sadly lacking the parental support they need.”

Salim emphasised: “The most precious thing you can give a child is not a tablet or phone but your time. Today, parents often hand kids a phone without spending quality time with them.”

With gratitude, the Dulloo parents reflected on the critical role of Mr. Bundhooa, Abyan’s Grade 2 teacher, who later taught him in Grades 5 and 6 at Aryan Vedic School.

“He is a teacher we hold in immense respect, adapting his teaching methods to each student’s needs,” they both agreed.

When asked when they realised Abyan had the potential to excel further, Salim recalls Mr. Bundhooa’s encouragement during the Primary School Achievement Certificate (PSAC), suggesting that “Abyan would surprise us in a big way.”

Further support came from Mr. Kader Dowlut in secondary school, who inspired Abyan with valuable advice and motivation, leaving a lasting impact even after his passing.

Yet, as Zarine is preparing for the future, a bittersweet pang hits her—she knew her eldest son will be leaving soon.

“He’ll manage. He won’t live on ‘ Mines Apollo’ only. But I will miss him dearly; he’s my eldest,” she admitted with mixed emotions.

And thus, the story of Abyan Coan Dulloo unfolds—a tale of determination, sacrifice, and the potent combination of talent and hard work, reminding us all that the path to greatness is often forged in quiet perseverance.

Source: Defi Media