Matthias Pleschinger discovered his talent for computer science at an early age:
“Ever since I was a toddler figures have fascinated me. When I was about 2.5 years old I discovered Lego technology, which led me to programming my first Lego technology robot on a graphical interface when I was five. Every now and then my mum also allowed me to 'work' on her computer, which I always did with great enthusiasm. When I was six years old my parents bought me my first laptop because mum was afraid that I might delete something on her computer. And that's how it all started.”
This is how the success story of the highly gifted pupil began. Matthias Pleschinger already programmed his first computer game at primary school age and when in 2018 – at the age of 11 – he began to study computer science at the University of Salzburg alongside school within the framework of the “Pupils to Universities” initiative the initiative offered him the opportunity to experience what is possible through self-determined studying.
“I taught myself programming when I was at primary school and as soon as I could read I had the whole internet at my disposal. I started with Basic, soon followed by Java and later C and C++. My most important associate was my mum, who always believed in me and recognised my talent early on. She always tried to give me opportunities to put my talent to use, for example by buying me a computer, finding out what activities were available in this field, and so on. Thus, at the age of 10, I was able to become a junior student at the University of Applied Sciences in Salzburg and to participate in the coding club there.”
Recognising and promoting talent
Of course, Matthias Pleschinger got a lot of support from his parents and teachers – because balancing the school timetable with the courses at university is a big challenge. But how do you reconcile everything?
“I think it is important to be a good student and learn easily. That way you will get a lot more freedom from the teachers at school and you will also manage to get to grips with what is taught at university. Because you don't get any special treatment at university, you have to take the same exams as the adult students. It is also important to have a person who supports you in choosing the right courses; Prof. Pree always gives me tips in this respect. Good time management is also very helpful because balancing school and university is not always so easy because you will miss lessons at school.”
Go4IT – Studying at the University of Salzburg
His next step took the highly gifted pupil directly to university:
“In grade 2 at grammar school, at the age of 11, I came, through a contact at my school, across Go4IT. This is a university programme that Prof. Wolfgang Pree from the University of Salzburg set up. It enables grammar school senior level pupils to attend a few courses at university in addition to school, which can later be credited towards their studies. I was also allowed to take part as a junior level pupil, which I owed mainly to Prof. Pree, headmaster Porenta and my form teacher Prof. Zwidl. And a year later Go4IT was over and I continued my studies directly at the University of Salzburg.”
The “Pupils to Universities” initiative, which is coordinated by the OeAD, enables learners of all ages to attend courses at Austrian universities and universities of applied sciences and to take exams while still at school. These exams will officially be credited towards later studies, thus shortening the study time. One of the goals of the OeAD – together with parents, educational institutions and non-school institutions – is to consistently promote adolescents and their potential and thus support the development of a wide range of skills, thus enabling excellent achievements.
Here you will find all information about the initiative and more success stories.
