Concerns Rise Over PhD Recruitment at Liaocheng People's Hospital

A recent job announcement from Liaocheng People's Hospital, located in Shandong Province, has sparked public debate surrounding the academic qualifications of two PhD graduates from the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA in the Philippines. These individuals, who hold degrees in Business Administration and English, were selected for management roles at the hospital after clearing medical and background assessments. However, their recruitment alongside candidates from esteemed local universities has prompted skepticism on Chinese social media concerning the standards of the Filipino institution and whether the hiring process was unduly influenced for these specific candidates.

In light of the uproar, the Liaocheng Municipal Health Commission has stated that an investigation is underway. An official remarked that both the hospital and relevant departments have initiated a review in response to the public's concerns, promising to release the findings once the inquiry concludes. The official also emphasized that the recruitment was conducted as part of a comprehensive campaign to attract doctoral talent across the city, adhering to established guidelines with rigorous oversight.

Liaocheng People's Hospital is recognized as a Class-A tertiary facility, functioning as a provincial medical center and a national training hub for resident doctors and clinical pharmacists. It is also involved in clinical trials and stem cell research. The University of Perpetual Help, which is a private college accredited by the Philippines' Commission on Higher Education, has previously come under scrutiny from the Chinese Ministry of Education. In May 2025, the Chinese Service Center for Scholarly Exchange raised concerns over discrepancies in doctoral enrollment data from its Laguna campus, which has led to the campus undergoing a more extensive certification review process. Chinese students have been advised to exercise caution when considering applying to this university, as the recognition of their degrees may take significantly longer than usual.