A prestigious university in Nanjing, China, has triggered online outrage after listing a job opening for a canteen manager—but with an unexpected requirement: a PhD degree.
The listing, posted by Southeast University on its official website, quickly gained attention for its academic demands. The role involves overseeing food safety, contractor coordination, administrative supervision, and food preparation processes. While the duties appear managerial, the qualifications raised eyebrows.
The Job Description That Sparked a Firestorm
According to the South China Morning Post (SCMP), applicants must hold a doctoral degree, demonstrate proficiency in English, be skilled in office software, and ideally have a background in food science, nutrition, or culinary arts. Additionally, being a member of the Communist Party is listed as a desirable trait.
The role offers an annual salary of 180,000 yuan (around ₹20.8 lakh), but the stringent requirements have been met with widespread disbelief on Chinese social media. Many questioned why such a high-level academic qualification was needed for a largely operational post.
University Responds to Outrage
In response, a university official told local media, quoted by SCMP—that the individual hired would not be involved in cooking. Instead, the position targets candidates with relevant academic qualifications and certifications. The goal, they explained, was to maintain high standards within university services.
However, this explanation did little to calm the online storm.
Wider Debate on Credential Inflation
The controversy has reignited concerns about credential inflation and unrealistic academic expectations in job markets.
“Stories like this force us to reflect: Has our overreliance on academic credentials gone too far?” wrote a Chinese educator on LinkedIn. “In a job market where even stable administrative roles are filled by PhD holders, degrees have become a stand-in for job security, not capability. Education should teach us to think, not just qualify. Otherwise, we risk producing more degrees than real-world solutions.”
