The following is a translation of an article from the March 2021 issue (No. 419) of the magazine "Excellence".

Honorary Professor Wang Rui-Cai, from the Department of Electronic Engineering and the Institute of Computer and Communication at National Taipei University of Technology, has devoted himself to cultivating talents and contributing his knowledge to NKUT for more than 63 years. He has trained numerous excellent technical talents in Taiwan and is known as the "most valuable professor" who has played a significant role in the birth of hundreds of electronics technology bosses.

Reverse engineering training Disassembly, assembly and practical training

Wang Rui-Cai suffered from infantile paralysis due to a delayed diagnosis when he was four years old. However, he never blamed the heavens for his physical disability. Instead, he firmly believed that "disabled people must rely on themselves, and no one will give you charity." With an indomitable spirit, Wang Rui-Cai insisted on using crutches to walk to school from elementary school to high school. Despite often slipping on the muddy road when it rained, he remained steadfast in his pursuit of education for decades.

At the age of 19, he was admitted to Taipei Technical College. Wang Rui-Cai recalled that there were no dormitories available at the school at that time, and as a first-year student, he had to work multiple part-time jobs to support himself, pay for his living expenses, and rent in Taipei. While his classmates were busy enjoying their vacations during holidays, he chose to enhance his skills by studying communication courses, such as radio, amplifier, and wireless radio. Wang Rui-Cai particularly emphasized the importance of "practical training". He could disassemble and assemble a radio, analyze each component in his mind, and understand every circuit connection during the practical process. In the era of underdeveloped information technology, Wang Rui-Cai could build a radio from scratch that was worth a fortune.

Writing a textbook with one set of equipment

The head of the department was deeply impressed by him and encouraged him to become a teacher. Wang Rui-Cai still remembers the head of the department of electrical engineering, Fan Zhe-Zhi, who was also physically disabled and had difficulty walking. After class, Wang Rui-Cai often visited Fan's office to ask questions, which left a deep impression on Fan. After graduation, Wang Rui-Cai was hired by NKUT as a teaching assistant.

From teaching assistant to lecturer, and then to being promoted to professor in 1974, Wang Rui-Cai actively participated in seminars and learned about the latest technologies, such as ICs, communications, and computers. Whenever National Taiwan University or National Chiao Tung University offered courses in these fields, he never missed a class. In the era when computers were not yet prevalent, he took computer courses on his own to learn how to write programs. Later, he was entrusted by the school principal to be in charge of purchasing computer equipment to improve teaching. Almost all computer courses offered by various departments were taught by him personally. Today, many famous business leaders in the industry regard Wang Rui-Cai as their mentor.

Taking apart and putting together components in various ways just to write a textbook. As a teaching assistant...