Yi Xiaoyuan, a college student who suffers from rheumatoid arthritis, has won the 2015 Tsinghua University special scholarship for undergraduates, which is the highest award offered to Tsinghua University students.

Yi was born in Yuxi, Yunnan province. He was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis when he was 6 years old, and femoral head necroses appeared on both his hips when he turned 10. After two months in the hospital, Yi became permanently paralyzed after a brush with death.

Though his health has always been a challenge, Yi was nevertheless admitted to the computer engineering department of Tsinghua University, with a university entrance exam score that placed him 16th among all test-takers in Yunnan province.

In college, things that came easily to some students were often challenging for Yi. He used to spend two hours each day typing, due to his weak knowledge of computers and stiff fingers. Now, he has been recommended to his department's AI research institute to extend his graduate studies.

Currently, he is undergoing rehabilitation. The daily rehabilitation exercises, lasting between two and three hours each time, are yet another challenge for the resolute young man. Upon receiving the illustrious scholarship, Yi gave a speech, promising to never give up no matter what his future brings.