News

2008.0227

102-Year-Old Japanese Professor Shares His Thoughts with SPE

By Sabrina Lin Campus Reporter Dr. Saburo Shochi, a 102-year-old Japanese senior professor with doctorate degrees in medicine, literature and education, promoted his idea to educate next generations with love and patience when he was speaking with students and staff members from the Department of Special Education (SPE) this afternoon. "It is important to have a kind heart even though you got poor grades,” Shochi said. The speech was a part of his global tour, which began in 2004, to promote his theories that quality education should be based on sincere attitude, imagination and creation.  In addition, Shochi is also an educator who would take advantage of his homemade teaching aids at work.  At the scene, he also demonstrated several pieces of the teaching aids to his audiences. "These homemade toys, which are used as teaching aids, are good for children’s sensory integration,” said Lin Tzu-chung (林姿君), a sophomore from the SPE. Shochi established his first special education school – “Shiinomi School” – in 1954 because he was motivated by his two of his three children, who are suffering from cerebral-palsied and were often mocked at school, while there was no special school in Japan to take care of those special children in needs. "Love is the power to keep us alive,” he said.  “This school is like a small tree.  With enough sun and water, it will grow into a big tree someday somehow.” In addition to his expertise in education, Shochi’s age was also another highlight during the speech because although he is 102 years old, he looks like a normal senior citizen of the age between 70 to 80. "My mom always reminded me that when eating, always chew for at least 30 times before you swallow, because chewing would help stimulate your brain, digest and reduce wrinkles on yourface,” Shochi said.  “Also, continuing to learn is one of my secrets to keep me young.” Shochi said that he began to learn Mandarin at the age of 95 and he kept diary in Chinese every day.  Seven years later, he is able to conduct basic conversations in Mandarin now.  In addition, Shochi said that he is still learning Russian and Portuguese. "In addition to continuing to learn new stuff, I did not forget to pay my tuition,” he added.