why? He would have never contacted me if he didn't need something from me.

@rechu, sorry you experienced this kind of an interaction. In many relationships (Not all and not generalizing) I‘ve encountered people where relationships are based on benefit and profit. It’s reduced to kind of like having a checklist and then ticking off boxes , as if the person has to have certain qualities, should originate from a certain class, status almost.
It’s hard for most people (Not saying I‘m free from that) To not have a biased conception of man.
Sad actually, I met two people who have done their PhD and were not quite interested to stay in touch with me because I haven’t done higher studies.