Teaching with his life, NSYSU's Chih-yuan Wang receives the National Excellent Teacher Award
2025-09-17
Praised by students as "a teacher who teaches with his life," Associate Professor Chih-yuan Wang from the Department of Business Management at National Sun Yat-sen University (NSYSU) has been honored with the Ministry of Education's 2025 National Excellent Teacher Award. Despite living with a severe physical disability, Wang has never been confined by it. He is a genuinely exceptional educator, devoted wholeheartedly to teaching and mentoring with unwavering passion. Through his gentle yet resolute presence, he inspires students to take bold steps and engage in deep thinking, walking alongside countless young people as they navigate the challenges of life.
Holding a Ph.D. from Manchester Business School at the University of Manchester, Wang has taught at NSYSU for 15 years, focusing on teaching innovation and student mentorship. After losing all four limbs due to an atypical infection, he became Taiwan's first educator to undergo two-hand allogeneic transplantation. Rather than hindering his career, this experience became a living lesson that inspires his students. His contributions have been recognized with the Chou, Ta-Kuan Cultural & Education Foundation's Fervent Global Love of Lives Award, multiple NSYSU Outstanding Teaching and Distinguished Mentor Awards, and recognition under the Ministry of Education's Excellent project of Teaching Practice Research Program, reflecting both his teaching dedication and resilience in life.
Wang firmly believes that the essence of education lies in companionship and guidance. He recalls his first mentee, nicknamed "Hsiao-Yuan," who was on the verge of academic dismissal after his freshman year. Wang encouraged him to study abroad in the UK for a short program, and upon returning, he showed a remarkable transformation: buying books on finance, studying independently, and speaking up in class. Wang felt quietly gratified, believing Hsiao-Yuan had found his path. However, he suddenly stopped attending class, and only then did Wang learn that Hsiao-Yuan had been diagnosed with stage III colorectal cancer. Despite his severe illness, he returned to campus to complete specially designed coursework. Ultimately, he passed away. Wang recalls that as a teacher, he could not change Hsiao-Yuan's fate, but at least he could ensure he was not alone, offering encouragement to him and his family until the end. "Perhaps," he reflects, "that companionship was the most important thing I could give."
Another student, diagnosed with brain cancer, once called Wang in a moment of despair. He spent hours listening and sharing his own experiences, helping her regain the will to live. These stories not only attest to his deep commitment to education but also embody his life-centered, humanistic teaching philosophy.
Wang upholds the belief that "learning should not be confined to the classroom, but should be a journey of exploration and speculation." He employs diverse teaching methods, including films, case studies, and practical tasks, to stimulate student thinking and expression in his courses. He also actively participates in the MOE Teaching Practice Research Program, consistently striving for curriculum innovation and quality, and has received commendation for excellence under the program.
Committed to continuous professional growth, Wang has pursued advanced training at Harvard Business School and Babson College, where he learned cutting-edge teaching philosophies and course design. Attuned to emerging technologies such as AI, he has studied prompt engineering and integrated these insights into his classes, equipping students with the skills to face future challenges.
In his acceptance remarks, Wang humbly stated that the most important thing is to do what one ought to do. "An award is just a channel to remind fellow educators that we carry a profound responsibility toward our students and can always do better." He stressed that receiving this award is not the end but a symbol of the continuous dedication of educators working diligently in their everyday roles.
NSYSU noted that Associate Professor Wang is a role model on campus, embodying student-centered education with gentleness and determination. He has transformed his physical limitations into a source of strength, inspiring students through the power of his life and enabling them to grow through both knowledge and compassion. This National Excellent Teacher Award is the highest recognition of his years of dedication and symbolizes the true value of education: authenticity, sincerity, and unwavering companionship.
Praised by students as "a teacher who teaches with his life," Associate Professor Chih-yuan Wang from the Department of Business Management at National Sun Yat-sen University (NSYSU) has been honored with the Ministry of Education's 2025 National Excellent Teacher Award. Despite living with a severe physical disability, Wang has never been confined by it. He is a genuinely exceptional educator, devoted wholeheartedly to teaching and mentoring with unwavering passion. Through his gentle yet resolute presence, he inspires students to take bold steps and engage in deep thinking, walking alongside countless young people as they navigate the challenges of life.
Holding a Ph.D. from Manchester Business School at the University of Manchester, Wang has taught at NSYSU for 15 years, focusing on teaching innovation and student mentorship. After losing all four limbs due to an atypical infection, he became Taiwan's first educator to undergo two-hand allogeneic transplantation. Rather than hindering his career, this experience became a living lesson that inspires his students. His contributions have been recognized with the Chou, Ta-Kuan Cultural & Education Foundation's Fervent Global Love of Lives Award, multiple NSYSU Outstanding Teaching and Distinguished Mentor Awards, and recognition under the Ministry of Education's Excellent project of Teaching Practice Research Program, reflecting both his teaching dedication and resilience in life.
Wang firmly believes that the essence of education lies in companionship and guidance. He recalls his first mentee, nicknamed "Hsiao-Yuan," who was on the verge of academic dismissal after his freshman year. Wang encouraged him to study abroad in the UK for a short program, and upon returning, he showed a remarkable transformation: buying books on finance, studying independently, and speaking up in class. Wang felt quietly gratified, believing Hsiao-Yuan had found his path. However, he suddenly stopped attending class, and only then did Wang learn that Hsiao-Yuan had been diagnosed with stage III colorectal cancer. Despite his severe illness, he returned to campus to complete specially designed coursework. Ultimately, he passed away. Wang recalls that as a teacher, he could not change Hsiao-Yuan's fate, but at least he could ensure he was not alone, offering encouragement to him and his family until the end. "Perhaps," he reflects, "that companionship was the most important thing I could give."
Another student, diagnosed with brain cancer, once called Wang in a moment of despair. He spent hours listening and sharing his own experiences, helping her regain the will to live. These stories not only attest to his deep commitment to education but also embody his life-centered, humanistic teaching philosophy.
Wang upholds the belief that "learning should not be confined to the classroom, but should be a journey of exploration and speculation." He employs diverse teaching methods, including films, case studies, and practical tasks, to stimulate student thinking and expression in his courses. He also actively participates in the MOE Teaching Practice Research Program, consistently striving for curriculum innovation and quality, and has received commendation for excellence under the program.
Committed to continuous professional growth, Wang has pursued advanced training at Harvard Business School and Babson College, where he learned cutting-edge teaching philosophies and course design. Attuned to emerging technologies such as AI, he has studied prompt engineering and integrated these insights into his classes, equipping students with the skills to face future challenges.
In his acceptance remarks, Wang humbly stated that the most important thing is to do what one ought to do. "An award is just a channel to remind fellow educators that we carry a profound responsibility toward our students and can always do better." He stressed that receiving this award is not the end but a symbol of the continuous dedication of educators working diligently in their everyday roles.
NSYSU noted that Associate Professor Wang is a role model on campus, embodying student-centered education with gentleness and determination. He has transformed his physical limitations into a source of strength, inspiring students through the power of his life and enabling them to grow through both knowledge and compassion. This National Excellent Teacher Award is the highest recognition of his years of dedication and symbolizes the true value of education: authenticity, sincerity, and unwavering companionship.
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