Job Discussion Forums

Charlierish · Joined: 04 Feb 2012 Posts: 6 Location: Canada

Can anyone advise me what should be the salary and benefits for an Assistant Professor at Jubail Industrial College (JIC) at Jubail, KSA ?

Is Asst Prof highest rank at JIC ? I am from Alberta, Canada and got 22 years of teaching and research experience with PhD.

How is Jubail Industrial College ? In terms of quality of staff and teaching faculty.

How is JIC compared to JUC ?

How stable these faculty positions are ? Are they usually renewable ?

Can my kids study in the ISG Jubail School (http://www.isg-jubail.org/) for free ?

Can we ship our vehicle from Canada to Jubail ? Are the moving expenses provided by the Royal Commission ?

How is the ovrall quality of life in Jubail ?

Thanks so much for all the help.

Regards

MixtecaMike · Joined: 19 Nov 2003 Posts: 643 Location: Guatebad

Salary comes off a complicated scale of steps and sub steps, you'll have to wait and see what you're offered.
There is a rank of Assoc. Prof, but I think it's reserved for Saudis. If they start you on Ass. Prof you are doing extremely well.
Some of the faculty (e.g. myself) are extremely wonderful.
JIC is the bigger and probably better of the two, salary and benefits will be the same.
As long as you don't hit other staff members, blaspheme, or indulge in illegal activities your job is secure. First contract is two years, renewable each year after that, unless you indulge in aforementioned activities.
Your kids can study at the school you mentioned, two of them for free, any others at your expense.
Probably you can ship your car, but it will be at your expense, and maybe not worth the hassle.
Quality of life in Jubail is nice (for a family person) and it's growing all the time. Pollution is apparently a concern, but it very rarely bothers me, and I used to get asthma, in a previous life.
You're welcome

Charlierish · Joined: 04 Feb 2012 Posts: 6 Location: Canada

Thank you so much MMike for your valuable information and advise. I am looking forward to hearing from RC for my employment offer. What is the process ? After negotiations, how long does it take for me to receive the hard copy by mail ? What is the visa process ? Does it come electronically in the e-mail ?
I would like to get family residence in Royal Commission's accommodations. Is it easy to get one of those when I join there before the probation period ? How does it work ? Do I have to apply for the accommodation from here ? When do I do this ?
I really appreciate all your help and advise.
Warm Regards

It's Scary! · Joined: 17 Apr 2011 Posts: 823

I was so happy when I saw this:

Charlierish · Joined: 04 Feb 2012 Posts: 6 Location: Canada

It's Scary! · Joined: 17 Apr 2011 Posts: 823

posh · Joined: 22 Oct 2010 Posts: 430

ramiceman78 · Joined: 26 Nov 2011 Posts: 5

Hello Charlie & all...

Posh: you mentioned that there is a 2-year waiting list for housing...does this apply to new hires as well? i worked in the Kingdom before with a similar college in Riyadh, and I got my family housing upon arrival. Although 3 months housing allowance is not bad....you can live in Khobar...cleaner air I guess.

Charlie: posh is right, you get the contract when you arrive...and RC is one of the most reputable employers that honor whatever they promise you. And finally, cars in KSA are not that expensive.

It is very exciting experience but takes long time to hear back from them... If anyone can share their timeline from interview to landing in Damman, that would be highly appreciate it.

MixtecaMike · Joined: 19 Nov 2003 Posts: 643 Location: Guatebad

The two-year wait list is actually a waiting list that doesn't move (at the moment), although there is a whole suburb of new RC houses that are being completed and given out to Saudi employees. There are a number of apartment buildings there too, some/many of which may be for teaching staff. We have been assured that the housing backlog will be fixed by mid-this year, but who knows. If you want to bring your family over quickly you may have to rent privately, and hope the housing allowance covers most of it. In Jubail the rents are high, probably around SR60,000 for a 3-bedroom villa. Commuting from Dammam or (worse from Khobar) is only for the early risers and highway dare-devils, although the housing is cheaper and probably nicer in both parts.

Interview to arrival took me a nerve-wracking 4 months, which turns out to be pretty fast going. Others have taken a year or more, although one teacher got here in a matter of weeks, I believe. The slow pace of recruiting has also been addressed recently, we have been assured. (But who knows.)

posh · Joined: 22 Oct 2010 Posts: 430

Charlierish · Joined: 04 Feb 2012 Posts: 6 Location: Canada

posh · Joined: 22 Oct 2010 Posts: 430

Hmmm ... I know the HR department well and I'd believe them on this. They know the system and know the ways round it. Being direct hire means they are a completely different entity to recruiters who will change contracts, verbal/written agreements as they wish - ie. to their financial benefit. RC won't do this - they are straight with employees and are one of the very few institutions in the Kingdom who remain so.

ramiceman78 · Joined: 26 Nov 2011 Posts: 5

Hello again, I totally agree with posh on this. JIC and the RC are among the few reputable places in the Kingdom. if they said they'd do something they usually do..however, keep all the emails.

I received my offer today and I will sign it and return it to them. i am so excited to join the English Dept. at JIC.... God, I miss the Kingdom soooo much.

best of luck to all

ps: posh...are you in the ENglish Dept?

posh · Joined: 22 Oct 2010 Posts: 430

No, not English dept.

Charlierish · Joined: 04 Feb 2012 Posts: 6 Location: Canada