At just 22, Liu Lu has become China’s youngest full university professor, an honor usually bestowed upon acclaimed academics 20 years his senior. While many Chinese children are forced to attend advance math classes for extra credits, Liu, who has never received any such education, solved a world math enigma because, he says, he loves the subject.

Liu Lu has become an official researcher at his university, which will give him benefits that an official professor would receive, including research grants and other benefits.

Many dig their first pots of gold through perspiration. For Liu Lu, "a flash of inspiration" helps too.

The 22-year-old undergraduate has been awarded one million yuan from his university in Changsha, Hunan province, for breaking a math equation that’s gone unsolved for more than 20 years.

He’s also been promoted to professor, the youngest ever in the country, and can benefit from research grants.

Liu Lu, Central South University said, "It is encouraging to see such an acknowledgement in the campus as well as in the academic field. I feel some pressure."

Some have raised their eyebrows at the "bold" promotion, but the school says it knows what it’s doing.

Zhang Yaoxue, President, Central South University Said, "He won’t give lectures. We would like him to gain more knowledge in both China and abroad, and be dedicated to scientific research as much as possible. Here we offer every opportunity and our support."

In 2010, as a junior university student, Liu grabbed the academic world’s attention by solving Seetapun Enigma, a mathematics conjecture first put forward by British logician David Seetapun in the 1990s.

His solution was submitted to the Journal of Symbolic Logic, an international academic publication, winning praise from the journal’s editors.

While others would be overwhelmed by the recognition, Liu Lu, says he’s just proud of his sense of accomplishment.

Liu Lu said, "I study because it makes me happy, and I do not think too much about other things. Thinking too much is a burden. All I’m doing is following my heart."

That enthusiasm is witnessed by Liu’s peers.

In his classmates’ eyes, Liu is just an "academic boy", burying himself in books and research, skipping dinners and sometimes even sleep.

Meanwhile, Central South University has approved a joint studies program, which will allow Liu to pursue his master’s and doctoral degrees.

The university says the policy is meant to offer a better platform for other young academics to pursue their studies.

Yan Xingzhong said, "If we find more students like Liu Lu, with such exceptional talent and achievements, we will do all we can to support them too."

China’s exam-oriented education has been under fire for years, for its focus on imitation rather than innovation or critical thinking.

People like Liu Lu are prompting many other college students to rethink their attitude towards knowledge.

"I was surprised to see such recognition for academic achievements."

"Now that we see how much the school values talent, we should study harder."

While the media is busy debating whether the promotion will do more harm than good, Liu appears confident about his future as a mathematician.

The baby-faced bespectacled researcher says, he hopes everyone can do what they love, and love what they do.

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