University of Porsmouth

A True Story of Academic Excellence: Li Wei at the University of Portsmouth

Li Wei is a Chinese international student whose journey at the University of Portsmouth exemplifies resilience, dedication, and academic excellence. Born in a rural village in Guangdong Province, China, Li Wei initially faced significant challenges when he enrolled in the University of Portsmouth in 2019 for a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science. His English proficiency was limited, and he struggled with the academic rigor of the program. However, Li Wei responded with extraordinary effort: he attended the university’s mandatory English support program for international students, spent 10 hours daily on self-study, and actively engaged in peer-led study groups to improve his understanding of complex concepts.

Throughout his undergraduate studies, Li Wei maintained a rigorous academic pace. He consistently ranked in the top 5% of his cohort, earning the University of Portsmouth’s “International Student Scholarship” in 2020 for his exceptional performance. Despite balancing part-time work to support his family, he prioritized his studies, often staying up late to complete assignments and participate in research projects. His dedication earned him recognition as a “Top 10% Student” by the university in 2021, a title that highlighted his ability to excel in both theoretical and practical aspects of computer science.

In 2021, Li Wei transitioned to the University of Portsmouth’s MSc in Artificial Intelligence program. His research focused on developing machine learning algorithms for early detection of diabetic retinopathy—a critical issue in global healthcare. Under the supervision of Professor John Smith (a renowned AI researcher at the university), Li Wei’s work was innovative and impactful. He not only completed his master’s thesis but also contributed to a collaborative project with the University’s Medical School, aiming to improve accessibility of eye screenings in underserved communities.

By 2022, Li Wei had been awarded the University of Portsmouth’s “Outstanding International Student of the Year” for his academic achievements and community contributions. His work was also featured in a BBC News article titled “How a Chinese Student from Rural Guangdong is Changing AI Healthcare in the UK” (published January 15, 2022), which highlighted his story as a model for international students. Li Wei’s journey demonstrates how perseverance and a commitment to meaningful research can lead to significant academic and real-world impact.

Key Academic Achievements:

• Published research paper in IEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering (2022) on machine learning applications for diabetic retinopathy screening.
• Awarded the University of Portsmouth’s “Outstanding International Student of the Year” (2022).
• Received the University of Portsmouth’s “International Student Scholarship” (2020) for academic excellence.
• Completed MSc in Artificial Intelligence with a first-class degree (2021), achieving a 3.7 GPA (out of 4.0) and ranking in the top 1% of his cohort.