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Heks · Posted: Thu Jul 09, 2015 6:48 am Post subject: Oxford partnership

Anyone know anything about this outifit, especially in Al Jouf?

I have read all the threads on Al Jouf. Compared to some places I have worked in China, sounds OK. Yes, am of monastic inclinations as long as I have a book, satellite TV and internet access.

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

Before folk get excited, this has no connection to Oxford University whatsoever. This is a consortium that signed a deal during UK's Export Week in 2013 to establish 12 technical and vocational training colleges.

The consortium, calling itself Oxford Partnership, consists of Activate Learning at City of Oxford College, Gems Education, Moulton College, Northants, Lincoln College, Hertford Regional College and FESA.

They were due to open 3 women's colleges in September 2014 in Al Jouf, Arar and Qurayyat. These are offering 3 year diploma courses with English in the first year, then specializing in Healthcare, IT and Finance, hair and beauty, fashion and agriculture.

That's all we know so far in the UK after this 850 million pound deal was struck. We'll be happy to hear news from inside Saudi Arabia.

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

It's just another player in the Colleges of Excellence network (http://www.coe.com.sa/partnerse.aspx).

Heks · Posted: Thu Jul 09, 2015 8:12 am Post subject:

Thanks once again for the speedy replies. I would also like to hear from teachers on the ground if any of them are here. You are also welcome to contact me privately. But do share, please Very Happy

currentaffairs · Joined: 22 Aug 2012 Posts: 828

Al Jouf/Sakaka is a very isolated place. There is nothing to do and nothing to see. You have two large supermarkets that your employer should provide transport to.. The restaurants are local and average. There are one or two Herfys. As it is very spread out it takes 30-45 mins to walk anywhere most of the time. There are no taxis or local buses.

You can save a lot of money because you are mostly sleeping when you are not working. Also, the cost of living is lower than Riyadh and many other places in Saudi.

Internet was very slow and it used to break down a lot. TV channels were limited though BBC News and France 24 sometimes were available depending on which room you had!

I-forgot · Joined: 28 Jun 2015 Posts: 153 Location: Riyadh

Based on reports from former colleagues, I wouldn't say run away from Al Jouf but I certainly wouldn't want to be there.

My sources say that they won't go out without a niqab - a headscarf is not enough for them to feel comfortable. It is very hard to meet people as there is not much of an expat social scene and locals don't want to mix beyond an initial curiosity. I've also heard lots of complaints about iinternet issues and lousy housing.

balqis · Joined: 30 Jul 2006 Posts: 373

For a female college it is wise to find out the retention rate and the turn-over of the female faculty throughout the academic year. In my opinion and experience nothing unveils more than these figures about the place and its management. This is why this figure, litmus paper of the place's drama, is never revealed.

balqis