(ECNS) — A recent recruitment announcement by Liaocheng People's Hospital in East China's Shandong Province has drawn public concern over the academic credentials of two incoming PhD holders who graduated from the Philippines.
According to an official notice published on the hospital's website, the two doctoral graduates from the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA in the Philippines were shortlisted for management positions after passing medical and background checks. Their majors are Business Administration and English.
The announcement, which also includes candidates from top domestic universities such as Shandong University and Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, prompted questions on Chinese social media. Some users expressed skepticism over the academic quality of the Filipino institution and raised concerns about whether the positions were tailored to fit specific individuals.
In response to the controversy, the Liaocheng Municipal Health Commission told The Paper, a Chinese media outlet, that the matter is currently under investigation.
"The hospital and relevant departments have initiated a review following the emergence of public concern. The results of the investigation will be disclosed once completed," an official said on Wednesday.
The official also defended the recruitment process, explaining it was part of a citywide doctoral talent acquisition campaign involving 50 positions.
"The process was organized and carried out under unified guidelines, with strict implementation by each institution. The recruitment was conducted fairly, and academic qualifications were reviewed uniformly," the official added.
Liaocheng People's Hospital is a Class-A tertiary hospital and serves as a provincial-level medical center. It is also a national training base for resident doctors and clinical pharmacists and is authorized to conduct clinical trials and stem cell research.
The University of Perpetual Help, a private institution accredited by the Philippines' Commission on Higher Education (CHED), has previously faced scrutiny from China's Ministry of Education.
In May 2025, the Chinese Service Center for Scholarly Exchange (CSCSE) issued a renewed advisory regarding its Laguna campus, citing discrepancies between declared doctoral enrollment figures and actual data uncovered during an earlier review.
The CSCSE has consequently placed the campus under enhanced certification review, warning that degree recognition may take longer, at least 60 working days. It urged Chinese students to exercise caution when applying to such institutions.
(By Evelyn)
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