red flag institution warningNot recommended for those seeking a professional, supportive, and growth-focused workplace.
I worked at Universitas Universal (Batam) several years ago, before COVID, and found it disappointing. Key concerns:
Long hours, no overtime pay. Staff often worked beyond normal hours and on Saturdays. Being late meant salary cuts; overtime went unpaid.
Costs pushed to staff. A “frugal” policy made employees pay for activities benefiting the university.
No pay transparency. No salary slips; deductions unclear.
No support for growth. No training, workshops, or certifications; staff paid for upskilling themselves.
Favoritism by ethnicity & ties. Promotions favored those linked to certain groups, others faced pressure without recognition.
High turnover. Many left quickly due to stress and unfair pay.
Rigid top-down decisions. Often unreasonable, but must follow.
Hidden religious base. Tied to Buddha Maitreya teachings but not openly disclosed, leaving many feeling misled.
Office politics & favoritism. Some held multiple roles, got raises with little work, blamed others for failures.
Weak marketing. Low enrollment caused top lecturers to resign.
Strict rules stifle growth. Creativity limited by inflexible policies.
Minimal facilities, high fees. Mostly drew students from vihara circles; little known in Batam.
Poor work-life balance. Staff expected to be available anytime.
Micromanagement & gossip. Managers controlled small tasks; drama hurt teamwork.
No clear SOPs. Shifting policies led to unstable targets and unclear careers.
If you value a healthy, transparent, growth-driven environment, this likely isn’t for you.