BEIJING: A university cleaner in China has gone viral on social media after securing admission to a master’s degree program through a year of self-study while working full-time.
Li Jia, 33, from Chengdu in China’s Sichuan province, works as a full-time cleaner at the Chengdu University of Technology, according to local media reports.
Li and her husband previously ran a restaurant near a university campus, but were forced to close it due to financial difficulties. She later took up cleaning work at the university because it was close to home and offered flexible hours, allowing her to care for her children.
During her job, Li often visited national exam venues and interacted with students from across the country. She said she was deeply moved by students studying late under streetlights and older candidates still appearing for exams despite visible hardships.
Inspired by their determination, she decided to pursue a master’s degree herself, hoping to set an example for her children.
However, the journey was challenging. Having previously studied at a vocational school without a bachelor’s degree, she had to pass additional subjects to qualify for the master’s entrance exam. With only eight months to prepare, she studied while continuing her demanding work schedule.
Li reportedly woke up at 6 a.m. daily, listening to lectures on politics and English through earphones while performing her cleaning duties.
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With strong support from her husband, Li successfully gained admission into a three-year master’s program in April 2026, marking a remarkable academic achievement that has drawn widespread praise online.
