The academic journey of Hong-Sheng Wu, a student of the Department of Biomechatronic Engineering, National Chiayi University, is not smooth sailing owing to learning disabilities. He turned obstacles into opportunities, forming a team based on his own learning experiences. With the project “I Have a Dream: Joining Science Fairs despite Learning Disabilities,” he was awarded the 8th “TSMC UDreamer Project” by the TSMC Education & Culture Foundation. This year, he will embark on a breathtaking journey to realize his dreams.
As a student with learning disabilities, Wu struggled with 26 letters of the English alphabet in the third year of junior high school, and multiplication of fraction in the first grade of high school. He recalled that his parents, who did not consider it a promising idea when he started joining science fairs in the first year of junior high, suggested him give up academic pursuits for practical skills. Wu aspired to become a scientist, and, in spite of these challenges, persevered and broke through learning barriers. After winning an honorable mention in a science fair, he became more determined to pursue his scientific dream. He was admitted to the NCYU Department of Biomechatronic Engineering via special talent selection, and recently honored with the Presidential Award for Education in the category of outstanding diligence. Wu pointed out that people with learning disabilities have normal intelligence. As long as they find a suitable learning method, and are willing to face the difficulties in learning, together with the support of a friendly environment, their potential should not be hindered by the learning difficulties.
Adhering to this belief, Wu thinks that unsound educational resources, stereotypical social perceptions, and marginalized social justice can make it challenging for disabled learners to be recognized and accepted by the society, even when they put in extra effort. After overcoming the challenges of learning disabilities, he finally demonstrated his confidence in becoming a scientist through brilliant results at science fairs. Now he would like to stand up and speak out for other disabled learners: “I have a dream!” – a dream to participate in science fairs and embark on a scientific journey. Wu formed a team with three enthusiastic general students across departments from NCYU. They submitted the proposal “I Have a Dream: Joining Science Fairs despite Learning Disabilities” to apply for the 8th “TSMC UDreamer Project” of the TSMC Education & Culture Foundation. They stood out among over 180 teams. Be brave to pursue your dreams and make your life worthwhile. Through executing the project, Wu hopes to help eliminate general stereotypes about students with learning disabilities. The objective is to enable more students with learning disabilities to gain confidence through science fairs and turn around the challenges posed by standardized education.
Wu also initiated a summer camp program to encourage disabled students to develop diverse potential. The program, titled “Learning Without Discrimination, Science Without Barriers,” won them a distinctive award at the “Cathay Youth Excellence Scholarship.” “I would like to say this to children with learning disabilities. I don't aspire to be a moon to illuminate the world, but I wish to become a twinkling star to at least light up the path before you. Just keep going, and you will surely see what you desire.”
NCYU
President Han Chien Lin personally congratulated Wu, who won grants from the “TSMC
UDreamer Project” and “Cathay Youth Excellence Scholarship,” upon hearing the
news. He highly commended Wu’s courage in overcoming adversity and
taking the initiative to pass on his inspirational experiences to other
disabled learners. In addition to providing financial support, President Lin
instructed colleagues to do their utmost to assist in the execution of the
project, so that this heartwarming initiative would grow and make a huge
difference.
Photo
1: NCYU President Han Chien
Lin recognized Hong-Sheng Wu’s (right) for his courageous pursuit of dreams.
Photo 2: Hong-Sheng Wu (second from
right), who formed an interdisciplinary team, received grants from the 8th “TSMC
UDreamer Project” by the TSMC Education & Culture Foundation with their
project entitled, “I Have a Dream: Joining Science Fairs despite Learning Disabilities.”
(Photo courtesy of the TSMC Education & Culture Foundation)
Photo 3: NCYU student Hong-Sheng Wu was awarded grants from the “Cathay
Youth Excellence Scholarship.” (Photo courtesy of the Cathay Charity
Foundation)