The aspiring nuclear physicist, Xu, was rejected by Nanjing University for failing to meet the moral and political qualifications set by the university’s admissions guidelines. While no specific reason was provided for his rejection, it is believed that his mistreatment of cats played a significant role in his application being denied. In March, Xu gained notoriety on social media for sharing videos of himself abusing and killing cats in his dorm room. Despite receiving education from officers and expressing remorse, no punishment was imposed.
After being rejected by Nanjing University, Xu applied to Lanzhou University in northwestern China but declined to speak with a mainland news outlet due to concerns about public opinion. His story has sparked a debate on social media about ethics, animal welfare, and the importance of nurturing a science researcher over the treatment of a cat. Some believe that Xu should face severe consequences for his actions, while others argue that talent is more important than animal welfare in the academic field.
While some may view Xu’s behavior as unethical and cruel, others believe that it is justifiable given his goals of becoming a successful nuclear physicist. Ultimately, the decision to reject Xu based on his moral and political qualifications highlights the importance of considering ethical considerations when evaluating applicants for academic programs. As such, universities must be careful not to prioritize talent over ethics or risk damaging their reputations and losing credibility with students and alumni alike.
