Job Discussion Forums

[isabel]

[nomi]

what do u mean? realy, there are 6 working days? and they dont pay for overtime? the other points are the same every where. either ur working in the university or in any of the school or college in the kingdom. what about the salary?

[baklodhi]

I have been appointed a lecturer position at KAU in Rabigh College of Business. I was wondering what is the good salary for Masters Qualified with 5 years experience would be and if there is any who actually worked for KAU Business school. Do they Haggle with the Salary or it is fixed.

Thanks

[bje]

[Pigeon2]

Hi, I have read this thread and a number of others on the subject of KAU. I'm may be interviewing for them soon. I would really appreciate it if anyone has information on the current situation there.

I know there have been negative postings, but I believe there have also been some changes. I'd like to find out what things are like right now.

Thank you so much for your help.

[mlmuhamma]

I would also like an update from those who are currently employed by this University. Thank you.

[mnruman]

Hello, all

Fast forward to 2016, does any have the latest on KAU in Jeddah?

[nomad soul]

KAU Jeddah vs KFUPM Dhahran
Uni jobs - maybe 3rd best is KAU in Jeddah
KAU English Language Institute

[scarlie]

No one is very happy here, and it's not the best paying job. The housing allowance does not cover the cost of decent housing in Jeddah. Furthermore, we haven't received our housing allowance this year, so we're paying out of our own pockets. Rumor is, no housing allowance in new contracts. Other costs/issues: You will not be reimbursed for medical or visa expenses, you must pay for your iqama each year, and KAU does not give multi-exit/entry visas so you cannot leave the country without permission. Many people, myself included, are leaving at the end of the school year.

[Hatcher]

I worked there for 2.5 years but left. I can make more money in other countries. Thats not on an hourly basis, but I am willing to work.

I am contact with several friends still there and they are all nervous about cuts. Not sure what will happen. But they are still hiring.

My thoughts on KAU and the KSA are if you can stand being inside and alone for long periods of time, you are ok. You will work a mere 3-4 hours per day for less than 24 weeks of the year. Your free time is 6 months with 3 months in the KSA and 3 months out. For that, you will be pid well on an hourly basis.

[lcanupp1964]

Of course no one is happy; it's the kingdom. Everything will wear a person down to the nub. All those countless hours spent in my apt. was just plain, ol' bad and mind-numbing. But, that's why us broken people go there - to make money. I agree with the last two posters, but no matter which university you worked for, it's going to sux when compared to most counties. You signed up for it as well - that's the part that I have never been able to wrap my cork-filled head around. Not happy? leave; life's too short. I took the money. BTW... I was at KAU for over 6.6 years and every year, teachers always freaked out about their housing money. Lack of info will always cause bored people to start rumors and one day next month (or the next), you will get a text from Samba stating that your housing money was posted. Most of the time, I got mine around Jan/Feb. Relax. I have never head of anyone getting cheated out of any money at KAU - it will drive you to the brink of madness, but you will get all that's in your contract. My housing money never covered ALL of my rent, but the difference was around $110.00 out of my own greedy pocket each month. Boo-the-f-hoo, people. Move and teach fake English in Japan. Now, most positions make you pay for your own rent there. In South Korea, teachers mostly pay their own rent, but the school will cover the very large deposit.

I saved over 55k USD a year during my time at KAU; that's the only point that matters. Read my past posts and you will know I'm not a fan of most things in general and I am not a troll for the - excuse me while I laugh and keep my breakfast down at the same time, university. KAU - over the LONG-TERM - treated me well enough and I left a few months ago in a great position to move to CO. and get into the "special plant" biz, Excuse me.... cough, cough, cough.

I'll bring out an oldie, but goodie from my past postings...

Teach. Make money. Go home. Who really cares about the junk in the middle? I hear Micky-D's is always hiring. I came home to find that I can now have breakfast all day long at McDonalds. What a country.

[Hatcher]

Scarlie, I know most of the staff at the LEI and many are leaving. But that job is the most money for the least work and in my opinion, is the 2nd best job in the KSA. KFUPM is the top job. UJ is good, from I am told by former LEI guys.

L Can... you are correct on many accounts but very wrong on one... I dont know anyone cheated at the LEI, at least not directly, but I know two people at least that were FT with the LEI but working PT at another dept and they were cheated out of thousands. In fact, it was me... I was told to apologize for requesting a copy of the labor code. I was told that if I didnt, not only would I be fired, but they would fire a friend of mine as well.

Finally, my feeling is that the KSA is about money and the ones who handle it best are the ones who can stay inside for long periods of time. Also, the best part of the KSA is under water. If you like the beach, then ok.

I hope to see the Dean outside the KSA sometime... he will be the sorry one at that time.

[lcanupp1964]

Hatch, once in a while, a teacher will be sent away to another college to get rid of the teacher that may be challenging some of the coordinators and/or admin about policies and other issues. I am not saying this about you btw. I always did that and I had a big, stupid mouth. Lucky I made up for it in the classroom and they put up with me. I have stated in a couple of posts that the teacher who asks too many questions will make the higher-ups at the ELI feel this is just another non-Saudi busting their balls and they send them to teach English at the college of Biz (mostly) or another college at KAU They (the other colleges) got away with it due to those teachers still on contract at the ELI. I know that you are 100% correct regarding two, or three teachers who taught at the ELI and got screwed over, because I was asked by the dean and vice dean of the ELI to try and help solve this problem. I wanted to try and help because one of the teachers that was screw out of a few thousand dollars was a real good friend of mine and a cool dude as well (First name starts with a "T"). Real nice guy and I was very motivated to try and get him the pay he earned. I could not make it happen due to my low "wasta ranking". After my research, I gave my "official" - I mean who the F am I , anyway - opinion to the Dean that it happened, but nothing changed and no one seemed to give a darn. After the dust settled (no pun intended), I came to the conclusion that it was mostly the other colleges doing the screwing up, being too lazy to care, or simply lied about the pay to get a native speaker of English over from the ELI. The ELI was not willing to "rock the boat" and officially request to open up a case with main HR, which is a nightmare to navigate through. I guess the the ELI (has the name changed since I left?) wanted to hold onto their wasta and not "waste" it on non-Saudis. My advice to people who work at the ELI is to stay there unless one can get their contract 100% switched over to the other college they want to, or have been asked to teach at. That's what I did and was given a new contract from the College of Arts & Humanities. I was given around a 20% pay increase and I got it on the very next pay period because I had it in writing. I'm sorry that it happened to you, but I learned the hard way to keep my mouth-hole shut as soon as I can get my fat foot out of it by saying something out of frustration. I hope things are better for you. Peace, bro