A Shanghai teen who failed exams in mathematics and other subjects in high school but published a three-volume book on computer hacking is now a first-year student at Shanghai's Fudan University.

Unlike nearly 1 million other Chinese first-year students, Man Zhou did not take the national college entrance examination in July to qualify.

And yet, he obtained acceptance last month to study in the Communications Science and Engineering Department despite his poor academic record.

“I can't believe it,'' said Man, a graduate of Gaoqiao High School.

Man has attracted the attention of many domestic high-tech companies since he published the book on the ways to penetrate and defend computer networks. He was a second-year high school student at the time.

Man's new book, ”The Internet, My Pivot,'' was published in July.

“I'm not a genius on networks, and I don't want to be good at one thing and poor at everything else,'' Man said.

“I'm simply a student like everybody else, and if possible I want to devote less time to the Internet and more time to other courses.''

He aims to make friends at college and study hard.

“I want to be a professional in communication engineering when I graduate from Fudan,'' Man said.

Qian Songrong, head of the Communication Science and Engineering Department, said he may devise a special teaching programme for Man.

Man also received extra help reviewing the courses he failed in high school before classes started this month.

(Chinadaily 09/21/2001)