SHANGHAI (SCMP): One of China’s most prestigious universities has apologised and withdrawn a mini-film made to celebrate its 130th anniversary amid accusations of gender bias.
On March 31, Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU) released the film to mark its coming birthday.
The institution was founded on April 6, 1896, by Sheng Xuanhuai, an important minister and an entrepreneur in the late Qing dynasty (1636–1912).
The video, No 800 of Dongchuan Road, was named after the address of the vast Minhang campus of the SJTU.
Most of the university’s students study and live on this campus.
But this film soon caused controversy because it shows a male student playing e-games in his dormitory and a female student playing a lead role in a dancing troupe.
“As time went by, the esports legend became a programmer while the central role on the stage became a mother,” the video was captioned.
Amid the public pressure, the university issued a statement of apology.
“Our mini-film drew significant attention due to our careless review and errors in our work. We express our most sincere apology,” the SJTU said.
It continued to say that it had taken the video off the shelf and has “communicated with and apologised” to the students who took part.
“Every creation about campus life embodies our feeling for our school. We will learn the lesson and be strict in quality control in the future. We hope we will not let down the public’s trust and expectation again.”
The full version of the mini-film is not available online, only the seconds-long problematic segment which went viral on mainland social media can be viewed.
The female student who acted as the lead dancer said she was “stunned” with the caption.
“As an actor, I am furious. A male student plays e-games and becomes a programmer at a big company. It shows his career development,” the student, whose name was not revealed, told the Yueniu Video.
“But for us girls, no matter how excellent we are, our identity can only be a mother. They are wrong to use my image in this video because they gave me a caption I do not like at all,” she said.
The news became a hot topic of discussion among internet users.
“At SJTU, such top school, how did they review this? Did all those involved in this project, from the person who writes the caption, to the ones who reviewed it and dub it, think it is fine? That is the biggest problem,” said one person.
“I am shocked at the low values of this university. So the girls it fosters for years are only destined to give birth to a child?” asked another.
But another person said: “This video aims to present big changes with the passing years. After all, many female graduates have become mothers. It is one of their roles, although not all. I do not think it is a serious mistake.”
The SJTU, one of the top five schools in China, is ranked 47ths in the QS World University Rankings for this year. -- SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST
