Last year, a security guard named Xu Wenlong made headlines with his feat of memorising 15,000 English words while working at China’s top university, Peking University (PKU, 北京大å¦).
He was also frequently spotted studying for China’s gaokao, better known as the National College Entrance Examination (NCEE) while on duty too.
Fast forward to today, PKU’s official WeChat channel released a video of Xu graduating from the Beijing Forestry University with a 20,000-word thesis.
‘Learning is a lifelong process’
In the video, Xu revealed that he had studied English for a long time and will continue to serve as a security guard even after his graduation.
“If the circumstances allow me, I’ll also apply for postgraduate studies.
I’d like to say that no matter what job you’re doing, continue to improve and gain more knowledge at the same time,” he said.
His story have touched many online, with over 10 million views garnered on Weibo since it was uploaded.
Went viral one year ago
Xu had his first taste of fame when he participated in PKU’s assessment meeting and shared how he added 15,000 English words into his vocabulary within a span of three years and his gaokao enrolment.
“I vividly remembered back in August, a foreign student who didn’t understand Chinese came to me in a panic. I told him in English, ‘Don’t worry, what can I do for you?
“The foreign student said: ‘I have a stomachache and I want to see a doctor. I then answered, ‘I can take you to the emergency room at once.'”
Xu further added that the student thanked him afterwards and expressed his pride in being able to extend help to him.
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Cover Images via Peking University
Editor: Sarah Yeoh
