Job Discussion Forums

[MadDog]

I am being considered for a communication skills position at The Petroleum Institute in Abu Dhabi. Is this a good place to work? How well do department individuals get along? How well are faculty treated by administration? Thanks for any input. MD

[veiledsentiments]

The buzz is that this is one of the best places to work in the Emirates. One of the highest pay and benefit packages, and many have tried to get in while few are chosen.

I suspect that like with all jobs, there will be a few things that you don't like, but thus far, it has been all positive on the grapevine and here on the board about the place.

VS

[MadDog]

Thanks for the update on the institute. Anyone have direct experience with the institution? Is the English program run by American or British? Mad Dog

[veiledsentiments]

American... It's affiliated with the Colorado School of Mines.

[younggeorge]

Ah, but all the English teachers I know there are British - not sure who runs the program, though.

[grand fromage]

YG, all the teachers I know there are NOT British Glad to see the PI is linguistically open-minded. We wouldn't want another MLI where only Americans and Canadians were hired for the first 4 years.

MD, it's the place to be if you asked me. Good luck.

[Tuttifruitti]

Definitely the place to be at the moment, don't hesitate if they offer you a job. There is a 'no poaching' agreement with many other gulf institutions, so that's why it hasn't been snapped up by people here who know how good it is!

[Tomton]

Just curious, how much do they pay?

[veiledsentiments]

This was posted on the Job Information Journal (which is gone now) in late 2004:

Update: Petroleum Institute in Abu Dhabi
1) All English teachers start at US$49,000 ($4087 a month) tax-free.
2) Cash-in-lieu for annual return tickets to home of record for employee and family.
3) One month's salary bonus for each year completed.
4) Free luxury housing
5) Free electric and water
6) US$12,000 furniture allowance once housing has been secured
7) Teaching load 15-18 hours in Foundation; 10 hours in Freshman English.
8 ) Vacation: 7-8 weeks in summer; 2 weeks in January; 1 week+ for each of the two Eid periods; plus several single holidays

Can anyone tell us if this is still the situation?

VS

[Tomton]

VS - thanks. Presumably the salary has gone up with inflation so it could be nearer $5000 a month now!

[Tomton]

VS - thanks. Presumably the salary has gone up with inflation so it could be nearer $5000 a month now!

[veiledsentiments]

Don't count on it going up. That is not how it works in the Gulf. Even the best paying places have had the same scale since the early 90's. In fact, salaries have pretty much stayed the same while benefits are being cut by many.

You should be thrilled if it has stayed the same...

VS

[Tuttifruitti]

I know someone who was interviewed last week and this is what I heard: In dirhams, the salary is 15,000 starting, 12 contact hours per week, 110,000 dhs for married accommodation allowance, 30,000 up front in September per child for education. At the moment, this is a much better package than any of the main 'places to go' in Abu Dhabi.

[veiledsentiments]

Let's see 15,000 is about US$4050, so it looks like the scale is about the same now - not knowing credentials.

So, they have switched to a housing allowance instead of providing a flat and furniture allowance. That seems to be the way everyone is going. There will be the upfront costs to buy the furniture, but you should be able to find a good place for that kind of money.

VS

[Bindair Dundat]