National Sun Yat-sen University business management associate professor Wang Chih-yuan (王致遠), whose limbs were amputated after an atypical infection during a mountain hike, has been awarded the National Excellent Teacher Award this year for his exemplary devotion to teaching.
Wang went on the life-changing hike in 2015, when what he thought was a cold soon spiraled into multiorgan failure and septic shock. He survived, but his arms and legs had to be amputated.
Wang got prosthetic hands and legs, and returned to teaching at the university the following year. However, he eventually wanted better capabilities, so he seized the chance to get a double hand transplant, making him the first person in Taiwan to receive the surgery.
Photo courtesy of the Ministry of Education
Encouraged by his spirit of exploring possibilities, Wang underwent rehabilitation and used his life experience to inspire his students, efforts that were recognized by the Ministry of Education.
Although the incident took away the life he was once comfortable with, Wang said he never wears trousers to cover up his prosthetic legs.
Wang said he was not a natural at teaching and felt uneasy in front of students, as he used to focus only on his research while he was studying abroad.
As students were eager for knowledge, Wang said he thought about how he could “breathe life” into his lectures.
For example, he found that most students tended not to ask questions during class, so he designed interactive activities to lift their spirits.
Each student has a different learning style and having unrealistic expectations would be a waste of effort, so Wang said he would specify the class requirements in the online course introduction in advance.
“The course is tough and offers no easy credits. Goof-offs are not welcome,” he said, adding that it helps retain only students who are willing to learn.
Wang said his experience has attracted many students who are depressed or facing major life choices, seeking advice from him.
As he has no counseling background and dislikes preaching, he said he would not give advice, but would share his experience.
Real enlightenment happens only when listeners realize something from hearing someone else’s stories, he added.
Wang said he opened up new possibilities for his life when he received the transplant eight years ago.
The process was far from easy, as he had to give up on the prosthetic arms that he had mastered and start over, he said, adding that he also had to take anti-rejection medication long term.
Described by many people as an optimistic person, Wang said he focuses on how to solve the problems he faces in life.
“Along the bumpy road of life, just step forward, and you will make progress, even if you move at slower pace,” he said.
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