Jianwei Zheng speaking at the celebration event in Shanghai
A special celebration of achievement event at Le Royal Meridien in Shanghai saw inspirational language teacher Jianwei Zheng named the University of Essex’s Alumnus of the Year.
Each year the Alumnus of the Year Award recognises an outstanding individual from the University of Essex’s global community of graduates. The award was presented to Jianwei by the University’s Vice-Chancellor Professor Anthony Forster at the event which was attended by many Chinese alumni.
Jianwei is the first totally blind student from southwest China to complete the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) and then go on to complete a Masters degree in the UK.
Now back in his home city of Chongqing after completing his Masters in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) at Essex, Jianwei is working as an English language tutor. He is also working to improve perceptions of disabled people in China and inspiring others with disabilities to achieve their goals.
His new ambition is to establish a new kind of inclusive school for students of all abilities.
This latest award for Jianwei follows recognition in the social impact category of the Education UK Alumni Awards held in China earlier this year by the British Council.
Jianwei said: “I'm honoured to receive the Alumnus of the Year award for 2017. Presenting me with this award shows the University of Essex caring for, valuing and encouraging a vulnerable group.”
"I was deeply moved and impressed by the inclusivity at Essex"
His experiences at the University of Essex have inspired Jianwei. He said: “I was deeply moved and impressed by the inclusivity, commitment to equality and openness of University of Essex and the patience, friendliness and kindness of students and staff.
“I never felt I was discriminated against and everybody - my supervisor, tutors, and staff in my department, disability service, the library, computer centre, accommodation office and so on, were kind, friendly and helpful. Whenever I had difficulties and problems, I could find somebody to discuss solutions and they always gave me a helping hand.”
Jianwei said he had to initially learn about the teaching style in the UK and the ways teachers will explain issues and respond to questions in different ways to help students understand subjects.
“I learnt in the UK that patience is the best teaching approach,” he said. “I lived a wonderful and unforgettable life at University of Essex. I'll never forget the Squares, the food and the beautiful lake and park.
“I'll also never forget the ‘maziest’ buildings in the universe!” he joked. “It is said that he who can find his classroom at the University of Essex will never lose his way while travelling anywhere in the world!”
Jianwei's dream of a "really inclusive school" for everyone
Looking to the future Jianwei is hoping to establish a school which caters for all students of all abilities. He said: “I have been a private English tutor for more than a year and a half and now I'm planning a bigger English training school with my partners.
“I hope I can successfully apply for a scholarship for PhD and then start a really inclusive school where all students with different needs, including with disabilities and without disabilities, will go to school hand-in-hand.”