Recently, the results of the selection of outstanding alumni of the Open University of China (OUC) were announced, recognising 328 alumni from various industries across the country.

These individuals, with accomplishments as their foundation and technology as their wings, demonstrate resilience, confidence, and a pragmatic, enterprising spirit, writing a unique chapter of progress of the OUC people. From today on, the stories of some alumni will be selected for sharing. By reviewing their outstanding deeds and listening to their life insights, the OUC’s achievements in talent development over the last 45 years are highlighted.

Xu Naidi, a graduate of the Open University of China in spring 2016 majoring in Accounting in open education (junior college level), currently serves as a full-time committee member for the disabled in Ditang Sub-District, Yuyao City, Ningbo, Zhejiang. He has successively won the first place in the flower-arrangement project of the 6th National Vocational Skills Competition for the Disabled, the title of "National Technical Expert", the title of Outstanding AIDS Prevention Volunteer in Zhejiang, "Technical Expert in Zhejiang", "Most Beautiful Zhejiangese", "Most Beautiful Worker in Service of the Disabled", etc., and has been awarded a second-class merit citation for an individual by the Zhejiang Provincial Government once.

A "Backbone" with a Firm Will Despite Physical Disability, Holding up the Sky for the Family

The difference in length between Xu Naidi's left and right feet is 7.5 centimetres. This difference dates back 43 years ago. When Xu Naidi was only 8 months old, polio caused by a high fever led to a lifelong disability in his left leg.

When Xu Naidi was 14 years old, his father lost his ability to work due to illness, and the burden of life fell on his mother and sister. Witnessing his mother's thin and busy figure in the fields and factories, after graduating from high school, Xu Naidi resolutely gave up the opportunity to continue his studies and took on the heavy burden of the family. However, the job-hunting process was not as smooth as he had expected. He was rejected by several enterprises one after another because of his disability. Later, thanks to the help of his uncle from the same clan, he was able to get a job in a local factory.

Although the work was tough, he knew very well that this job was hard-won, so he put in more effort than ordinary people. With his comprehension and diligence, he gradually grew from an ordinary worker into a professional in charge of the whole factory's testing workshop. "There are more than a dozen testing points on a testing line, which need to be checked back and forth constantly. The work intensity is very high, and I wore out two pairs of cloth shoes in a month." Looking back on his past experiences, Xu Naidi was full of mixed feelings.

Dedicated to Serving People with Empathy, Doing Practical Things for the Disabled

In order to help more disabled people, Xu Naidi became a full-time liaison for the disabled in the sub-district after passing an exam in 2006. "It turns out that there are many people who suffer more than me. Many disabled people have a difficult life and need the care of others." This was Xu Naidi's biggest feeling when he first started working with the disabled.

In order to better serve disabled people, he spent two and a half years studying at the Open University of China and graduated successfully. He also obtained a series of certificates such as sign language, rehabilitation coordinator, and employment instructor. He also took the initiative to visit disabled families during his off-work hours to understand their lives. Over the past 17 years, he has travelled all over every corner of the sub-district and has become a bosom friend of more than 1,300 disabled people in the jurisdiction.

In 2012, Xiao Fei, an intellectually disabled person from Tangjiazha Village, could not find a job after graduating from the city's special education centre. After learning about this situation, Xu Naidi immediately contacted the person in charge of a welfare enterprise in Zhengxiang Village. Through his matchmaking, Xiao Fei finally found a satisfactory job. Xiao Feng, who has a physical disability, was originally a recommended student of a key high school. Later, due to ankylosing spondylitis, his academic performance plummeted, and he changed from an optimistic and confident big boy to an inferiority-complex boy who stayed at home all day. After Xu Naidi's repeated persuasion and encouragement, Xiao Feng finally walked out of his home, gradually became optimistic and confident, and found a statistical job in an enterprise.

A disabled friend who had been helped by him said, "If we disabled people are a big family, then Xu Naidi is the bright light in the family. He helped me find the confidence to live."

Being a Knowledge Imparter with an Unwavering Original Intention, Contributing to Society

In 2014, Xu Naidi represented Yuyao to participate in the 4th Ningbo Vocational Skills Competition for the Disabled and won his first championship in the flower-arrangement competition in his life. After that, he participated in provincial competitions many times. In 2018, he won the second place in the flower-arrangement group in the Zhejiang Disabled Craftsman Competition. In 2019, he won the championship in the flower-arrangement project of the National Vocational Skills Competition for the Disabled and was awarded the title of "National Technical Expert", and was given a second-class merit citation by the Zhejiang Provincial Government once. At the end of 2018, Xu Naidi united disabled friends with artistic specialties to form the Huiai Disabled Cultural Art Troupe in Ditang Sub-District, and organises the troupe to perform in communities, cultural halls, schools, etc. every year.

Over the years of working at the grass-roots level for the disabled, he has won the trust and praise of the disabled and their families with his practical actions. In 2019, Xu Naidi was named "Most Beautiful Zhejiangese · Most Beautiful Worker in Service of the Disabled ". He said, "I will keep walking on this road of helping the disabled, and will do my best to do these small things well, so that everyone can see flowers in full bloom in their own world."

Xu Naidi has been honoured with numerous awards and has also delivered one remarkable accomplishment after another. However, he is always modest in saying, "I'm merely doing my best to offer assistance to every disabled person in my ordinary post. This is also the modest contribution I, as a physically disabled person myself, can make to society."

By OUC News Network