Chinese professor in hot water for describing how women students are screened by their appearance
University suspended Qiao Mu in 2014 for unspecified ‘work violations’ but has allowed him keep his title and work as a librarian
A Chinese university is investigating complaints that one its professors blogged in lurid detail how male professors screened women students who hoped to take their courses according to their appearance.
Qiao Mu, an outspoken journalism professor at the Beijing Foreign Studies University who was famously sidelined for his advocacy for free speech, has again attracted controversy after writing on his Weibo account on Friday that many male professors judged women interviewees based on their appearance.
In his article, Qiao wrote somewhat graphically of a personal experience interviewing an attractive candidate in revearling clothing, finishing his comments with “I wondered who was really put to the test here. After all, interviewers are people too. ”
He also said that in screening female interviewees, male professors often checked out “their breasts first, their faces second, their backsides third and their legs last”.
The article caused a stir online, leading many internet users to question the integrity of the admissions office at the university. While some internet users appreciated Qiao’s candour, others condemned him for his sexist comments.