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Tahir92
Joined: 30 Mar 2016
Posts: 1
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 Posted: Thu Apr 21, 2016 10:29 pm Post subject: King Saud University (KSU) PYP |
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Hi,
I have been offered a Job by KSU and just was hoping if anyone had any information about what it is like to work there.
I have searched the forum and the last time it has been discussed is in 2010 so I wanted to know what the situation is like now.
How are the managers and students?
What are the working hours like?
When and how many holidays?
etc
Thanks |
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mnruman
Joined: 30 Mar 2015
Posts: 93
Location: Manchester, UK
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| Posted: Thu Apr 21, 2016 10:57 pm Post subject: |
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Hi,
May I also ask once you've landed in KSA how long does it take for one to be given an iqama in order to start applying to get family over?
Do you have to wait exactly 90 days before applying or can you start sooner?
Finally in terms of accommodation near KSU PYP, what are the options?
I've done a quick google search and the results vary quite drastically. I'm also not too familiar with what region the KSU PY campus is based so I can't be too sure if I'm looking at the correct region.
Many thanks
MR |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Thu Apr 21, 2016 11:05 pm Post subject: Re: King Saud University (KSU) PYP |
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| Tahir92 wrote: |
| I have been offered a Job by KSU and just was hoping if anyone had any information about what it is like to work there. |
Is KSU the actual employer, or did you interview with a third party (i.e., a contracting company)? |
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veiledsentiments
Joined: 20 Feb 2003
Posts: 17644
Location: USA
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| Posted: Fri Apr 22, 2016 4:42 am Post subject: Re: King Saud University (KSU) PYP |
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| Tahir92 wrote: |
I have searched the forum and the last time it has been discussed is in 2010 so I wanted to know what the situation is like now.
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I think you need to do your search again. I just typed KSU into the search box near the log-in and got 250 links. At least 2 full pages in 2015/2016. The 2010 links were on page 5 or 6. Sometimes it is included in thread discussing more than one location. But I saw KSU in many titles.
VS |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Fri Apr 22, 2016 3:20 pm Post subject: |
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| Plus, KSU typically uses numerous private companies like ICEAT, Al Hussan, QEHC, EdEx, etc., for PYP staffing needs. Therefore, the actual employer isn't likely to be KSU but, rather, one of these companies. That's why job seekers should ask during the interview who they would be employed with, and subsequently, research that entity. |
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hash
Joined: 17 Dec 2014
Posts: 456
Location: Wadi Jinn
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| Posted: Fri Apr 22, 2016 9:45 pm Post subject: |
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| nomad soul wrote: |
| Therefore, the actual employer isn't likely to be KSU but, rather, one of these companies. |
.....Which is why it's always significantly advantageous to be a "direct hire".
As a direct hiree you have to deal with only one employer. But if you're a "contractee", you can be doled out to various "work sites" at the convenience and at the whim of your employer (the contractor) and in effect, you're having to deal with two "employers".....your actual employer (the one who pays you) and the ones in charge at your "work site". Once the people you have to say "Yes, sir" to start to increase, the chances of your finding yourself in an unsupportable situation increases exponentially.
I should mention too that your original contact for the job may be a RECRUITER which is a different category of "middle-man" in the employment process. In this situation, the recruiter simply contacts you and is the "conduit" between you and a KSA employer. He helps you with the paperwork and so on, but his main job is to find you and "advance" you to the KSA employer. In this case, you are most likely going to be a "direct hiree" - the recruiter will totally disengage from you once you are "hired" and the person you deal with upon arrival in KSA is whoever it is that you'll be working for.
The bottom line is that you should be very aware of whom you are dealing with at the very start of the process, and what your status is going to be as an employee. (Will you be a "contractee" employed by a "contractor" who pays you your wages and who will be responsible for you in KSA as far as housing, visas, etc, OR are you going to be a "direct hiree" of some institution in KSA who will be responsible for you).
Ask direct questions from your contact person and expect a clear, unambiguous reply. Once you know where you "really" stand as an employee-candidate, everything will become easier.....you'll know what kinds of questions to ask and whom to ask.
It's also important to remember that not ALL contractor jobs are bad.....they're just more complicated, in my estimation, than a "direct hiree".
Finally, make sure you get clear and correct information about the type of VISA you'll be in possession of in KSA. What you really want is a "RESIDENCY" (Muqeem AKA Iqama) card which confers upon you all the rights and benefits of a legal resident of KSA. (You get this card ONLY after you're actually IN KSA....you enter KSA with an ENTRY VISA which is then converted into a residency card after a couple of months or so). (Point of fact: A Muqeem AKA Iqama is not a VISA....it's a residency CARD - 2 different types of documents).
Unfortunately, many jobs now don't come with this Muqeem benefit and instead you get issued a "business or visit visa" (of one kind or another). This is a further complicated arrangement for various reasons although they are now very common and a lot of teachers seem to have no problem with having one. The point is: Know before you Go so you aren't "surprised" when you can no longer do anything about it. |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Fri Apr 22, 2016 11:31 pm Post subject: |
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| hash wrote: |
The bottom line is that you should be very aware of whom you are dealing with at the very start of the process, and what your status is going to be as an employee. (Will you be a "contractee" employed by a "contractor" who pays you your wages and who will be responsible for you in KSA as far as housing, visas, etc, OR are you going to be a "direct hiree" of some institution in KSA who will be responsible for you).
Ask direct questions from your contact person and expect a clear, unambiguous reply. Once you know where you "really" stand as an employee-candidate, everything will become easier.....you'll know what kinds of questions to ask and whom to ask. |
Yet, that key info you say job candidates should be inquiring about are essentially some of the same questions I included in the thread "Questions you should be asking at your interview", which you claimed should never be asked during interviews. 
Anyway...
| Tahir92 wrote: |
| When and how many holidays? |
In terms of holidays, direct employees of public universities like KSU, KFUPM, PNU, etc., generally observe the following:
Eid al-Fitr (varies, but approximately 9 or 10 days)
Eid al-Adha/Haj (varies, but approximately 9 or 10 days)
National Day
Source: http://www.officeholidays.com/countries/saudi_arabia/
However, those employed by private (contracting) companies need to check their employment contract or ask the company HR how many of those Eid days they'll have off and if they're all paid holidays. |
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mnruman
Joined: 30 Mar 2015
Posts: 93
Location: Manchester, UK
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| Posted: Sat Apr 23, 2016 12:03 pm Post subject: |
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I've been offered the role at PY_KSU via Al-Hussan but I am aware of another who went to a job interview back in January for the same role via ICEAT.
At the Birmingham (UK) job fair it was only Al-Hussan present, recruiting for PY-KSU.
When speaking to the recruited I was asked to sign a pre-contract (not the actual one) and was advised the actual contact is with the visa agent for me to sign when I go over. Is this the norm?
Regards
MNR |
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mnruman
Joined: 30 Mar 2015
Posts: 93
Location: Manchester, UK
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| Posted: Sat Apr 23, 2016 2:05 pm Post subject: |
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Also in regards to the visa process via Britannia Consular Service. It now costs £700.00 to process which is reimbursed once you're over at KSA.
My question is, once you have your visa, are you expected to also then book your own flight and also pay for it?
I have checked flight prices as a rough guide. A ticket costs around £450 to £500.00
So potentially the whole process could end up costing £1200.00 (plus travelling to and from the south for medical etc).
Bearing this in mind, one would also need to take some extra cash along with them to KSA to settle in.
Thats a very expensive upfront payment. surly they would book the flight for you, I have asked and I'm awaiting a response.
Thanks all |
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RustyShackleford
Joined: 13 May 2013
Posts: 449
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| Posted: Sat Apr 23, 2016 2:57 pm Post subject: |
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By Saudi labor law, your employer should be booking and paying your ticket both to and from the place.
And you should expect a proper reimbursement. You may have to wait, but mine did and there was no hassle.
As far as settling in money goes, if your penny-pinching, 3,000 SAR will be enough to make things comfortable for a month while you wait your first payday. |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Sat Apr 23, 2016 3:18 pm Post subject: |
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| mnruman wrote: |
| When speaking to the recruited I was asked to sign a pre-contract (not the actual one) and was advised the actual contact is with the visa agent for me to sign when I go over. Is this the norm? |
This is the norm for pretty much everyone --- direct and contract company hire. The contract you sign once you land in country will include your actual start date, which is usually the first day you report to HR. |
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paul.conlong
Joined: 31 Mar 2015
Posts: 84
Location: Rochdale, UK
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| Posted: Sat Apr 23, 2016 3:26 pm Post subject: |
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| nomad soul wrote: |
The contract you sign once you land in country will include your actual start date, which is usually the first day you report to HR. |
Out of interest, do you get paid from the day you land in KSA or from the first day?
From your experience what is normally expected from you on your first day? |
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hash
Joined: 17 Dec 2014
Posts: 456
Location: Wadi Jinn
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| Posted: Sat Apr 23, 2016 3:48 pm Post subject: |
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| mnruman wrote: |
| I've been offered the role at PY_KSU via Al-Hussan but I am aware....... |
You might want to read the recent thread <http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=108003&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=60> which actually began about 2 years ago but it includes more recent comments regarding Al-Hussam. Read especially the last page....page 5.
I note that one of your original questions on this thread here about "bringing the family over" seems to have been totally side-lined. Have you found out if you will be able to bring over your family at all without a Muqeem/Iqama? Or is this no longer an issue with you? |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Sat Apr 23, 2016 4:05 pm Post subject: |
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| paul.conlong wrote: |
| nomad soul wrote: |
| The contract you sign once you land in country will include your actual start date, which is usually the first day you report to HR. |
Out of interest, do you get paid from the day you land in KSA or from the first day?
From your experience what is normally expected from you on your first day? |
For clarification, I never worked at KSU. My comment about contracts relates to working in Saudi Arabia regardless of the employer.
In terms of your first payday and expectations, you'll have to ask your company contact person. However, some employers give new arrivals their housing allowance within a week or so. |
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mnruman
Joined: 30 Mar 2015
Posts: 93
Location: Manchester, UK
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| Posted: Sat Apr 23, 2016 9:30 pm Post subject: |
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| hash wrote: |
| Have you found out if you will be able to bring over your family at all without a Muqeem/Iqama? Or is this no longer an issue with you? |
Thanks for the thread link.
I should be getting an Iqama, I'm not going over on a business visa. So once I get the Iqama I shall then apply for the family to come over.
One thing which has come to my attention is that you can get the family over on a visit visa or permanent visa.
If I was to apply for ther permanent family stay would this process take longer. |
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