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The Nanyang Technological University (NTU) has drawn flak for restricting a logistical job, under its university-approved Work Study programme, to male students.

According to NTU’s website, “the Work Study Scheme (WSS) is a University-approved training programme for our students. It is part of experiential learning where students learn about work and working life.”

The job in question is for the role of convocation assistants, who would be required to “slot degree certificates and transcripts into folders, mail invitation cards, handle logistical matters.”

Many netizens asked why such a job should be limited to male applicants only.

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Sexism is everywhere. How does having a vagina impair one’s ability to slot certificates into folders, mail invitation cards, and handle logistical matters? Shame on you NTU. Posted by Nabil Khairul Anwar on Wednesday, 27 February 2019

One netizen responding to Nabil’s post opined that NTU is not sexist and that the position is restricted to males because of the job requirements. Facebook user David Takahashi, who says he used to be the Convocation Committee Logistics Manager at the National University of Singapore (NUS) said:

“Practicality for the specific role not sexism. I was NUS Convocation Committee Logistics Manager. Would you expect a petite 40kg female undergrad to carry 20kg boxes of stores? Much more practical to get a 90kg male to do manual labor.”

David’s comment sparked a heated exchange on the comments thread. When Nabil shot back and asked why David “assume[s] that ALL females are petite 40kg weaklings?” David responded:

“Females are all keyboard warriors. When tasked with the actual job, they fail to deliver. We practised equality and had one male and one female helper. No prizes to guess who did all the heavy lifting and who took the clip board and check list the ENTIRE time. This is first hand experience not anecdotal experience.”

When he was called out for making sweeping statements and generalising all women as weak, David resorted to personal attacks against the other netizens in the comments section. Read the comments thread here:

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