Job Discussion Forums

[YoMan]

I've heard bad news about HZ Dianzi University (HDU, Hangdian, Hangzhou Dianzi University, HZDU, Hangzhou Electronics University).

The apartments are bad news - many do not have sufficient water for teachers to shower.

Teachers say they were enticed to China with all manner of promises but when they arrived they were told these were not part of the contract. The people had already travelled to China at their own expense and were in a bind. They felt they had no option but to sign the contract that was proffered.

Promises included:
- Working only four days per week - some were told they'd have to work five, and one guys been working seven.
- The school would provide computers in the teacher's apartments - when they arrived they were told that the computers had been sent to the school campus 21 km's away and that they'd have to supply their own.
- An apartment that met western standards - they don't - some don't have running water.
- The contract says that if a teacher makes a complaint then a repair man will be there within three days. This sounds great, but to fulfil the terms of the contract the school needs only have a repairman visit your apartment every three days. The apartment need not be repaired. This three day 'guarantee' was included to ensure the apartments are NOT repaired.
- Some teachers followed the advice of HDU's negotiator and (unwisely) signed contracts in their home country but didn't date the contract. They were told they could choose between a five-month contract or a ten month contract when they arrived in China. When they arrived, their contract had been submitted as a ten-month contract against the teacher's wishes. The teacher wanted a five-month contract. The school told the teacher that 'no five month contracts are available', which was not true. The school signed five-month contracts shortly after with two female teachers (who would have preferred ten-month contracts).

Such dishonestly does not bode well for working at HDU.

The advice I've received from past teachers is STAY AWAY FROM HDU!

[SoleMan]

I'd believe what's said above. Go here to see what's the go at HDU.

http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=64685&highlight=

Hangzhou Dianzi University seems to be disreputable.

[SoleMan]

Go here for more bad news on HDU.

http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?p=712358#712358

I've been told that the school is placing a video camera outside the entrance to the foreign teacher's quarters to see who is visiting them.

This place seems to get worse and worse.

All the past teachers I've spoken to seem glad they've left.

[SoleMan]

Anyone have more news about the Annual Migration out of Hangzhou Dianzi University?

It happened last year - and a few years before that?

Anyone know if it is happening again?

[YoMan]

I am certain it will be happening again. This university has a VERY high turnover of staff. Something must be wrong. You can bet a million bucks that the school will be promising everything, and then delivering something something completely different.

Are they still trying to move the teaching staff out to Xiasha? I KNOW they will be. Are they still trying to have the staff live in the school hotel? I KNOW they will be doing this. Living in xiasha it the pits! It is at the edge of the world, an expensive taxi fare from the downtown area. If you're wanting to live in a Chinese environment, then don't go to Xiasha. Live downtown. Even the Chinese teachers prefer to live downtown. For years staff (Chinese and American alike) have chosen a one hour bus ride to work each way, each day just so they don't have to live in Xiasha. Other schools pay teachers extra to teach in xiasha. Does anyone know if the school is trying to move the teachers into the school hotel again?

Read previous posting and follow the links above. The school won't deliver what they promise.