WIUT Reviews

The Rector is indecisive and afraid of responsibility and a control freak. Though, perhaps, his indecisiveness is better than when he actually makes a decision. The Vice-Rector is excellent at getting courses validated, but is operationally clueless and indifferent to it. Between the two of them, they found at least 10 ways to reduce academic staff compensation, sneakily, during AY2020-21. Totally destroyed morale. The staff were teaching 20+ hours per semester and were punished for agreeing to do so. Naturally, teaching quality suffered. "Health Insurance" is through a company called "Gross"; properly named. $300 per year, if any place will accept it. Covers only minor matters. Doesn't cover Covid ($4,000 for the 7-14 days in hospital and Gross will pay none of it). I quit after 1 year of my 3 year contract for 2 reasons. First was the constant efforts of the Rector, et al, to cut staff compensation, while demanding research while they took on more and more teaching so that we could actually have someone teach. Second, and my personal finishing reason, was the same 2 people removing any semblance of academic standards. If the pass rate wasn't high enough (90%) the Vice-Rector went after the teaching staff. Attendance was abysmal, but 90% pass rate was expected. Cheating was the norm for many students. Such a disappointment for me professionally and personally. There are some excellent people at WIUT, just not the Rector nor Vice-Rector. With some competent leadership it could become a really good university.

The best adjective to describe the WIUT experience is "toxic". Three of my international colleagues have been taken to the airport without adequate prior notice at the end of their renewable contract, because they committed the crime of proposing some improvements. One of them received a notice of less than 48 hours and was sent back to the his country in the middle of lockdown. The majority of managers at WIUT is toxic, with top management leading the way. One of my former colleague was daily bullied by her manager and had to move from her department. Other than bullying, people will try to steal your work and go complain to the rector behind your back if you propose ideas that they see as threatening. Appart from an exclusive incompetent group, career development is a myth at WIUT: I was asked to apply to a position in which my salary would be cut in half, and they frequently cut employees' salaries. Turnover is high: international employee turnover is probably around 80% per year. And the disease is starting to reach local staff as well. Finally, THIS IS NOT A RESEARCH UNIVERSITY. Even if you are told otherwise, ask for concrete proof, which you will never get. A former colleague of mine was told that the university would not pay a second publication fee of his, because they didn't have the budget for it.