China: Peking University’s ‘ugliest maths teacher’, once thought an ‘idiot’, now internet celebrity after awkward interview
- Wei is known on campus for being shy and always carrying a bag of steamed buns and a giant bottle of water
- A former teacher, who calls Wei a ‘genius’, says people thought he was an ‘idiot’ because of his awkward speech
Holding a giant bottle of water and a plastic bag full of steamed buns, a man with unkempt hair and awkward speech addressed the media. It was a far cry from the stereotypical image of a university professor.
Wei Dongyi, an assistant professor in mathematics at Peking University, has grabbed the attention of tens of millions in mainland China after his extraordinary talent as a mathematician became a viral sensation online.
Wei’s shy and unsophisticated style was shown in the interview when he was asked to say something to encourage high school graduates preparing for an upcoming university entrance test, and he just said, “Cheer up. Welcome to Peking University. I don’t know what else to say.”
After this interview clip went viral over the weekend, more of Wei’s personal information was dug up by domestic media to satisfy the public’s increasing interest in him.
The public soon learned the 29-year-old scholar is so talented that he is called “God Wei” by his peers for his maths problem-solving abilities.
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The Chinese PE teacher bringing swords to his lessons
Wei won gold medals at the International Mathematical Olympiad twice while a high school student. He was admitted to the PKU’s mathematics department without sitting for the entrance examination. The university’s mathematics course is currently ranked 19th in the QS World University Rankings.