PhD journey from Tanzania to Taiwan

Nathan Thadeo Yoashi, a Tanzanian PhD graduate from National Taiwan University’s (NTU) Graduate Institute of Environmental Engineering, delivered an inspiring speech at NTU’s graduation ceremony in Taipei. Yoashi grew up in a farming family in Tanzania with no electricity, clean water, or sufficient food, studying by moonlight and ranking in the top three of his class despite attending school only three days a week. His breakthrough came when Jane Goodall, the renowned conservationist, visited his school and encouraged him to join the Roots and Shoots program, later offering financial support. With Goodall’s help, Yoashi attended a gifted junior high school three hours away from home and was later recommended to study in Taiwan, where he enrolled at Chang Jung Christian University in Tainan. After mastering Mandarin and Taiwanese through local communities, Yoashi pursued his PhD at NTU under Professor Hsi Hsing-cheng. During his studies, he co-founded the African Student Association and helped establish a memorandum of understanding between NTU and the University of Dar es Salaam. Yoashi also honored Goodall’s legacy by donating half his monthly salary to support five children’s education in his hometown. Now married to a Taiwanese woman with a young son, Yoashi continues to give back to his community. He expressed his dream of building a school in Tanzania and urged fellow graduates to prioritize service over leadership. His journey reflects resilience, mentorship, and a commitment to bridging education gaps between continents.