From pedicab pusher to a PhD
By Liang Yiwen |
August 9, 2009, Sunday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
A SELF-TAUGHT ability to decipher inscrutable scripts of ancient times has enabled Cai Wei, a 38-year-old pedicab driver, to enter a PhD program and embark on an academic career. Liang Yiwen tells the story of how a dream comes true.
It normally takes years of undergraduate and graduate study to qualify for a PhD program. But Cai Wei's path has confounded convention, the once laid-off worker with a high school diploma leapfrogging entry requirements to be admitted to Shanghai Fudan University's PhD program.
The 38-year-old from northeast China's Liaoning Province is the first student with such low academic qualifications ever allowed to study for a PhD at the prestigious university since the country's unified academic degree system was introduced in 1981.
Cai became a pedicab driver in his hometown of Jinzhou in Liaoning Province after he was laid off by a local rubber factory in 1994. But he devoted his spare time to the study of Chinese classics.
His dedication and erudite knowledge impressed Professor Qiu Xigui, an expert in Chinese etymology and ancient writings, who offered him a spot in the PhD program and waived the required entrance examinations.
According to state regulations, Cai couldn't apply for PhD study because he did not complete his undergraduate studies.
But the Ministry of Education made a special case for his admission to the classical Chinese literature program based on recommendations by three outstanding experts on Chinese literature.
The program Cai applied for admits only four students a year and he was one of the four picked from a total of 22 applicants.
"Many professionals cannot even compete with him in classical literature," said Professor Qiu, Cai's PhD instructor at Fudan University. Qiu discovered Cai's talent through letters Cai wrote to him. Qiu even quoted Cai's interpretations of primitive and mystical scripts in his book.
When he was still a child, Cai developed a great interest in classical Chinese writing through the rubbings of ancient inscriptions on stones, bronzes and oracle bones, which he copied as a way of calligraphy exercise.
As years went by, his knowledge of ancient Chinese scripts and language surpassed that of many people. Even his teachers would come to him for help when encountering unfamiliar words and expressions. But Cai failed to get into university because he was weak in math and English.
He worked in a rubber factory after graduating from high school in 1991 but lost the job three years later as a result of a massive reform of state-owned enterprises. He ekked out a living as a street vendor selling cigarettes.
"It was a difficult time, but my interest in classical literature didn't dry up," he said.
Cai kept the habit of reading books borrowed from the city library. He often publishes articles in online forums about classical Chinese writing. Two years ago he became a pedicab driver to earn more money after his wife fell sick.
"I hated the job as I had no time to read," he said. As a street vendor, Cai could read while waiting for customers. But riding a tricycle all day left him little energy to read in the evening.
The pair struggled to make ends meet, earning about 1,200 yuan (US$175.80) a month, which was not enough to support his hobby. His wife Zhang Yue told Liaoning Daily that the most valuable possession in their home was her husband's books. During the past 20 years, Cai spent most of his income on books.
"I kept reading ancient works purely driven by interest," he said. Cai had never expected his interest would bring him any benefit and his wife was strongly opposed to the hobby until the admission notice arrived.
Hearing about his hardship, Qiu invited him to Fudan University last September to help with the compilation of precious scripts found in tombs dating back to the Western Han Dynasty (202 BC-AD 8) and recommended him for the school's PhD program.
"I am very grateful to Professor Qiu and the school," Cai said. "I've never dreamed of becoming a university student, not to mention a PhD candidate."
He promised to study hard and contribute to the research of ancient Chinese language, which is also his personal interest.
Working long hours every day, Cai never feels tired because he enjoys the work and a monthly stipend of 3,000 yuan. He sends most of the money apart from daily expenses to his wife and 11-year-old son.
His family is also very happy that his enrollment as a PhD student and his subsidies will make their life easier.
Cai went home last month to make arrangements for his family before his first semester begins in September.
Cai's department and instructor will tailor courses for him so that he can make up his deficiencies in other disciplines such as history and archeology, said Professor Gu Yunshen, associate dean of the Graduate School of Fudan University.
"He still has to complete his bachelor's and master's degree courses," Gu said. "But the faculty will adjust his timetable to suit his situation."
Though the college entrance examination is still a primary passage to universities, Fudan and other schools in Shanghai are trying to break up the mode and allow their professors certain rights to pick their own PhD students.
It normally takes years of undergraduate and graduate study to qualify for a PhD program. But Cai Wei's path has confounded convention, the once laid-off worker with a high school diploma leapfrogging entry requirements to be admitted to Shanghai Fudan University's PhD program.
The 38-year-old from northeast China's Liaoning Province is the first student with such low academic qualifications ever allowed to study for a PhD at the prestigious university since the country's unified academic degree system was introduced in 1981.
Cai became a pedicab driver in his hometown of Jinzhou in Liaoning Province after he was laid off by a local rubber factory in 1994. But he devoted his spare time to the study of Chinese classics.
His dedication and erudite knowledge impressed Professor Qiu Xigui, an expert in Chinese etymology and ancient writings, who offered him a spot in the PhD program and waived the required entrance examinations.
According to state regulations, Cai couldn't apply for PhD study because he did not complete his undergraduate studies.
But the Ministry of Education made a special case for his admission to the classical Chinese literature program based on recommendations by three outstanding experts on Chinese literature.
The program Cai applied for admits only four students a year and he was one of the four picked from a total of 22 applicants.
"Many professionals cannot even compete with him in classical literature," said Professor Qiu, Cai's PhD instructor at Fudan University. Qiu discovered Cai's talent through letters Cai wrote to him. Qiu even quoted Cai's interpretations of primitive and mystical scripts in his book.
When he was still a child, Cai developed a great interest in classical Chinese writing through the rubbings of ancient inscriptions on stones, bronzes and oracle bones, which he copied as a way of calligraphy exercise.
As years went by, his knowledge of ancient Chinese scripts and language surpassed that of many people. Even his teachers would come to him for help when encountering unfamiliar words and expressions. But Cai failed to get into university because he was weak in math and English.
He worked in a rubber factory after graduating from high school in 1991 but lost the job three years later as a result of a massive reform of state-owned enterprises. He ekked out a living as a street vendor selling cigarettes.
"It was a difficult time, but my interest in classical literature didn't dry up," he said.
Cai kept the habit of reading books borrowed from the city library. He often publishes articles in online forums about classical Chinese writing. Two years ago he became a pedicab driver to earn more money after his wife fell sick.
"I hated the job as I had no time to read," he said. As a street vendor, Cai could read while waiting for customers. But riding a tricycle all day left him little energy to read in the evening.
The pair struggled to make ends meet, earning about 1,200 yuan (US$175.80) a month, which was not enough to support his hobby. His wife Zhang Yue told Liaoning Daily that the most valuable possession in their home was her husband's books. During the past 20 years, Cai spent most of his income on books.
"I kept reading ancient works purely driven by interest," he said. Cai had never expected his interest would bring him any benefit and his wife was strongly opposed to the hobby until the admission notice arrived.
Hearing about his hardship, Qiu invited him to Fudan University last September to help with the compilation of precious scripts found in tombs dating back to the Western Han Dynasty (202 BC-AD 8) and recommended him for the school's PhD program.
"I am very grateful to Professor Qiu and the school," Cai said. "I've never dreamed of becoming a university student, not to mention a PhD candidate."
He promised to study hard and contribute to the research of ancient Chinese language, which is also his personal interest.
Working long hours every day, Cai never feels tired because he enjoys the work and a monthly stipend of 3,000 yuan. He sends most of the money apart from daily expenses to his wife and 11-year-old son.
His family is also very happy that his enrollment as a PhD student and his subsidies will make their life easier.
Cai went home last month to make arrangements for his family before his first semester begins in September.
Cai's department and instructor will tailor courses for him so that he can make up his deficiencies in other disciplines such as history and archeology, said Professor Gu Yunshen, associate dean of the Graduate School of Fudan University.
"He still has to complete his bachelor's and master's degree courses," Gu said. "But the faculty will adjust his timetable to suit his situation."
Though the college entrance examination is still a primary passage to universities, Fudan and other schools in Shanghai are trying to break up the mode and allow their professors certain rights to pick their own PhD students.
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