Job Discussion Forums

lovesand · Joined: 13 Sep 2012 Posts: 30

Hello,

Are there any teachers on this forum working at Sur University at the moment? I have some questions for you guys (or if any other teachers know the answers, please feel free to answer)

1) What are the benefits at Sur U? what is the starting salary? any allowances?

2) I've read that accommodation at the new campus is now offered to staff. Is this true? If it is, are the apartments furnished? Are utilities covered?

3) Once you apply and you fill out all the paperwork and you send in your degrees etc, what is the next step? How long does the process take?

4) People say that there isn't much in Sur. Are there supermarkets? A Lulu? What else is there?

If you can help it would be much appreciated.

Cheers

The Steakinator · Joined: 13 Apr 2012 Posts: 71 Location: Oman

As of leaving July 1, 2012 (AKA "Liberation Day"), there were a handful of mediocre quality supermarkets and no Lulu. There were rumors a Lulu would be put in, but last I heard, the plan was scrapped because the municipality demanded too high a number of locals be employed instead of Indians (and the local's work ethic is legendary...).

Desert Camper · Posted: Sat Jun 22, 2013 7:07 pm Post subject:

"Sur is not a very beautiful town", Edward Henderson, Arabian Destiny.

Dedicated · Joined: 18 May 2007 Posts: 972 Location: UK

lovesand,

I cannot answer your questions 1 to 3, as I don't know Sur University College which only opened in 2011. There is also a big College of Applied Sciences with about 4,000 students now.

I visited Sur and stayed for 5 days in the Plaza Hotel, which had a good pool and gym both of which were open for non-guests. I remember the bar had a really good Filipino band and there was a quiz one night.
I visited the souq which was not very interesting compared to Nizwa souq - just lots of cheap Chinese electronics.

The main reason to go to Sur is to visit the Turtle Beach, which is about 40 minutes drive away. I visited the Ras Al Jinz Scientific and Visitor Centre (you can stay there) but stayed in the Desert Nights Camp. This was amazingly comfortable and climbing up the sand dunes to watch the sunset over Wahiba Sands was almost magical. You can ride a camel or quad bikes here.

The book mentioned was by Edward Henderson who died in 1995. Sur is not particularly beautiful but it has made huge progress since his time.
However, you can watch traditional dhow-building in the harbour. Just be aware that Sur has been hit twice by cyclones, in 2007 and 2010.

madrileno · Joined: 19 Aug 2010 Posts: 270 Location: Salalah, Oman

Sur is a nice place for a weekend visit.

I'd never consider living there, though.

Eijse74 · Joined: 06 Jan 2006 Posts: 46 Location: Oh, man...

The Steakinator · Joined: 13 Apr 2012 Posts: 71 Location: Oman

It would be interesting to hear from anyone who's just finished their contract at SUC. I would assume that since contracts usually finish by the July 1st, it'll be another week or two until the negative posts come out. It took me seven weeks in Thailand (mostly in Chiang Mai) to detox from working there - absolutely awful.

bima · Joined: 01 Nov 2012 Posts: 5 Location: Chicago, IL

Any advice from female teachers who worked at SUC?
I would love to hear about your experience and advice.
Thanks,
Bima

nomad soul · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world

lizziebennet · Joined: 24 May 2009 Posts: 355

Just wanted to say something about the previous comment about 'Lulu' and Omani work ethics. We have a new Lulu in my town with Omani people working at the tills, and in the veggie, cheese section etc. They do their jobs well! As a result I totally disagree with your earlier comment! The Omanis that work in Lulu obviously really need their jobs because they certainly wouldn't be working there for fun!

lizziebennet · Joined: 24 May 2009 Posts: 355

BTW, I had two friends working at SUC last year and they were quite happy there. They only negative thing I heard about was to do with the accomodation they were given, unfortunately they were not given the option of taking an allowance.

The Steakinator · Joined: 13 Apr 2012 Posts: 71 Location: Oman

What was wrong with the accommodation? Poorly built or just no escape from the students?

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

Not sure if Lizzie is around since this post is from last September, but I've never heard any complaints about housing in the Gulf being "no escape from students." Even when I lived on campus in Oman, the students were never a problem. I would assume that it was sub-standard in the teachers' opinions... location, condition, or buggy.

VS