Ang Ziyu receives an undergraduate admission letter of Minzu University of China in 2020. [Photo/Official Wechat account of Minzu University of China]
Having lost his eyesight in childhood, countless difficulties once stood in Ang Ziyu's path as he pursued an academic life. However, in June, he will graduate with a bachelor's degree in science and enrollment in a master's degree, proving that his grit and resilience triumphed over obstacles caused by his visual disability.
Ang was admitted to Minzu University of China in 2020, scoring 635 out of a possible 750 in the national college entrance exam, and became the university's first-ever student with visual disability.
Worries came along with joy of college admission. Would he be able take care of himself on campus? Would he be able to learn abstract knowledge in Braille? Could he meet the graduation requirements four years later?
"The greatest fear is the unknown. I did encounter many problems after entering college, but there was always a way," said Ang.
"Only after a month did I become familiar with the campus roads. I used to buy meals at certain stalls in the cafeteria due to familiarity, but as a senior now, I would like to try every food I haven't eaten yet before I leave the college," Ang said.
"Sometimes he walks faster than I do. He uses a tactile stick more to remind people that he is blind, in case he bumps into others, rather than needing it to walk," said Bai Lu, his tutor.
Ang learns professional courses by transcribing the standard mathematic symbols and calculations into Braille with a special Braille typewriter. [Photo/Official Wechat account of Minzu University of China]
Greater challenges came from education activities. As an information and computing science major, Ang needs to take many math courses that contain symbols and geometry, which are difficult to express in Braille.
On the one hand, Ang has made some innovative adjustments to the writing rules of Braille to better facilitate the math calculations. On the other hand, more intelligent screen-reading software, capable of reading many mathematical symbols, Greek letters, and even superscripts and subscripts, has become a convenience.
In addition, voluntary schoolmates organized by the school would read the textbooks and math questions for him to assist his study.
In terms of final exams, Ang answered the same test papers as his classmates did, but in a special way.
Ang would first transcribe the questions read to him, then answer them in Braille in 1.5 times the standard exam time. When giving scores, Ang would read his answers to the teachers face-to-face.
While receiving assistance himself, Ang also spreads love and actively helps others.
He has volunteered to tutor visually impaired senior high school students in his hometown Anhui province multiple times, and established a WeChat group to share e-learning materials and tips on navigating college entrance exams with other visually impaired students aiming for excellent results.
Ang, together with his roommate Dong Shiyuan, poses for a photo at the beach. [Photo/Official Wechat account of Minzu University of China]
Despite the visual problem, Ang has actively explored the world in travels. He believes that travel is not only about sightseeing but also the people and experiences encountered along the way, as well as relevant historical and cultural knowledge.
"Last month, I climbed to the top of the Taishan Mountain via the most challenging route. I set off at 11 pm and reached to the top at around 3 am the next day, waiting to see the sunrise," Ang said.
"I feel the sunrise on my face. The temperature on my skin can tell me when the sun has risen," Ang added.
Ang's positive attitude and energy also serve as a source of inspiration for those around him.
Dong Shiyuan, one of his classmates, said, "Ang's perspective on life is unique, which offers us many unique insights and experiences that allow us to view life from different angles."
Ang talks about learning and life with his counselor teacher Bai Lu. [Photo/Official Wechat account of Minzu University of China]
"He possesses strong autonomy, self-reliance, and never harbors feelings of inferiority due to his circumstances. When faced with challenges caused by visual disability, he simply contemplates how to resolve them," said tutor Bai.
Ang will delve deeper into the academic world as a postgraduate student majoring in differential geometry in Beijing Normal University.
When discussing future plans, he expressed a desire to pursue a doctorate degree or work in the field of special education where he could use his own experiences to inspire other blind children to persist in their learning journeys.
