A welcome exception

This is not just an exception. It is an exemplary case of selecting the right person for right line of research.

A 38-year-old man has been enrolled by the prestigious Fudan University in Shanghai to do his PhD in Chinese philology and etymology. And, with schooling only up to senior high school, under normal regulations Cai Wei would not be eligible for such an opportunity.

However, there can and should be exceptions for talent in a particular field. Otherwise, the effort and aptitude of such deserving people will be wasted.