Presidential Education Award Winners Announced; Wei Yu-tse, Yang Tzu-li Win for Second Time

(CNA, Taipei, May 21) The list of winners for the 2026 Presidential Education Award was announced today, with a total of 60 individuals receiving the honor. They will be personally commended by President Lai Ching-te. Among the winners, Wei Yu-tse and Yang Tzu-li have won the award for the second time at different educational stages, showcasing their spirit of overcoming adversity and dedicating themselves to learning.

The Ministry of Education stated in a press release today that the Presidential Education Award selects winners based on their spirit of striving, fearlessness in the face of hardship, and love for life. A total of 326 individuals were recommended nationwide, with 167 advancing to the final selection round. Ultimately, after on-site visits by scholars and experts, 60 individuals were chosen for the honor. The award ceremony is scheduled to be held at the Presidential Office on July 3.

To continuously encourage students, the Presidential Education Award allows past recipients to be nominated again after advancing to a different educational stage. This year, two individuals are second-time winners: Wei Yu-tse, currently studying at Hsinchu Municipal Cheng-De Senior High School, and Yang Tzu-li from Changhua County Hsi-Yang Junior High School.

Wei Yu-tse was diagnosed with a hearing impairment at a young age and faced numerous setbacks in his studies. However, he bravely pursued his dreams in track and field, making a name for himself in national competitions and winning the Presidential Education Award in 2021. Due to family reasons, he transferred schools, which led to a ban from competing in his second year of junior high, forcing him to quietly build up his strength.

Upon entering high school, Wei chose to tackle the more challenging decathlon. In 2024, he represented Taiwan at the World Deaf Youth Games and Championships, winning a gold and a silver medal. In 2025, he won the silver medal in the men's decathlon at the Deaflympics in Tokyo.

Although Wei requires a hearing aid and has a slower reaction time at the start, he adheres to the spirit of "an unyielding heart." Relying on his own "hearing loss strategy," he focuses more intently on the starting lights than others and uses his formidable willpower to close the gap, proving that physical limitations cannot impede his progress and once again earning the recognition of the Presidential Education Award.

Another second-time winner, Yang Tzu-li (known as Yang Chiao-wei when he first won in elementary school), was diagnosed at a young age with mild autism combined with intellectual disability, along with comorbid conditions such as ADHD and Tourette's syndrome. However, he later discovered diving and inline skating. His mother would take him across counties on her scooter for practice, and he subsequently excelled in various competitions.

His journey in sports was filled with setbacks. For instance, in diving, a fall from a height once left him temporarily unable to walk. During inline skating training, he fell countless times, even losing fingernails. In swimming practice, he split his chin and needed six stitches. Yet, he persevered time and again, returning to his team after being bandaged up and telling himself to "try one more time." This relentless spirit earned him the affirmation of the Presidential Education Award selection committee.

The Ministry of Education and various city and county governments will introduce the stories of this year's Presidential Education Award winners through various channels to encourage more students facing adversity. In addition to a certificate and a trophy, winners also receive a scholarship: NT$250,000 for each winner in the university/college division, NT$200,000 for the high school division, and NT$150,000 for the junior high and elementary school divisions.