Job Discussion Forums

[letitslidedude]

Dear all,

Anyone there can help with any info regarding these 2 new institutions in Abu Dhabi, UAE? Please share the info with us? Thanks!

1) Emirates College for Advanced Education

2) UAE Academy


(MOD edit)

[Afra]

There was a large recruitment advertisement for Emirates College for Advanced Education in yesterday's Gulf News which you may be able to find online. It will be a teacher training college based in Abu Dhabi, starting September 2007. All sorts of faculty required, Foundations upwards.

[adorabilly]

The emirates college for advanced education.

My wife just finished attending the TESOL convention in Seattle Washington. She was interviewed for this school, and has been short listed to teach there.

She has some great information, but it is from the recruiter... and as we know, recruiters sometimes "stretch" the truth to get people hired/signed up.

if anyone has some on the ground knowledge, please pass it on.

I have the application packet she brought back, if you want I can transcribe some of the information for others.

[adorabilly]

Here is what it says in the chronicle of higher education. posted april 3rd.

Position: Multiple Faculty/Head Positions
Institution: Emirates College for Advanced Education
Location: United Arab Emirates
Date posted: 4/3/2007

The Emirate of Abu Dhabi is establishing ECAE in Abu Dhabi to be a new world class institution and regional leader in teacher preparation, educational research and school development. Established to play a key role in the modernization of school education in the UAE and throughout the Middle East, ECAE will prepare a new generation of graduate teachers and educational leaders.

In addition ECAE will provide ongoing accredited professional development programs for teachers and administrators. New buildings incorporating first class facilities including ICT have been designed to accommodate initially 4000 full and part-time students. A team of world class educators and educational administrators to lead the development of this exciting new College is now being sought. The College intends taking its first group of students in September 2007. The language of instruction is English.

HEAD, MATHEMATICS & SCIENCE
The Head of Department (department chair) is a member of the faculty who is responsible to the Dean (Academic) for the planning, organization, staff, direction, and evaluation of the academic discipline(s) in the department. In accordance with the strategic plans of the College as approved by the Board of Trustees, the department chair is responsible for the development and effective implementation of the department's strategic plan.

Required Qualifications:
* Possess a PhD, M.A., M.Sc. degree in Mathematics or Science or the teaching of Mathematics or Science
* Experience as a full-time faculty member with demonstrated expertise in teaching and research
* At least 5 years experience in program administration in higher education (i.e., strategic planning, deployment of human and financial resources)
* Excellent communication skills, creativity and a talent for administration
* Ability to motivate others, and to work effectively with staff, faculty and board members

HEAD, ENGLISH
The Head of Department (department chair) is a member of the faculty who is responsible to the Dean (Academic) for the planning, organization, staff, direction, and evaluation of the academic discipline(s) in the department. In accordance with the strategic plans of the College as approved by the Board of Trustees, the department chair is responsible for the development and effective implementation of the department's strategic plan.

Required Qualifications:
* Possess a PhD or M.A. degree in Applied Linguistics, TESOL or relevant field (areas of specialization may include teaching language methodology, curriculum development, classroom-based research, program design and evaluation or language assessment)
* Experience as a full-time faculty member with demonstrated expertise in teaching and research
* At least 5 years experience in program administration in higher education (i.e., strategic planning, deployment of human and financial resources)
* Excellent communication skills, creativity and a talent for administration
* Ability to motivate others, and to work effectively with staff, faculty and board members
* Ability to work effectively with a culturally diverse population

HEAD, EDUCATION STUDIES
The Head of Department (department chair) is a member of the faculty who is responsible to the Dean (Academic) for the planning, organization, staff, direction, and evaluation of the academic discipline(s) in the department. Education studies is comprised of the following broad areas: Psychological Studies, Guidance and Counselling, Assessment and Social Foundations. The chair is expected to teach in one of the disciplines, coordinate the work of faculty in the department, and develop and manage department resources.

Required Qualifications:
* Possess a PhD or M.A. degree in a discipline appropriate for the department
* Experience as a full-time faculty member with demonstrated expertise in teaching and research
* Successful university teaching experience and research in field of specialization
* At least 5 years experience in program administration in higher education (i.e., planning, communication and organizational skills, deployment of human and financial resources)
* Excellent communication skills, creative and innovative thinker
* Ability to motivate others, and to work effectively with staff, faculty and board members

FACULTY POSITIONS
Full-time faculty positions are available specializing in English, Mathematics, Science and Education Studies. Qualified applicants are to apply for consideration to academic ranks (Assistant/Associate/Full Professors) commensurate with their academic qualifications and experience. Applicants are expected to have a strong commitment to teaching excellence and student supervision at both the elementary and secondary levels of education programs, a demonstrable research capacity that will enable the applicant to develop and sustain research activities in his/her area of expertise.
The College uses English language as a medium of instruction and therefore, it is expected that applicants should demonstrate proficiency in English. The College promotes the use of innovative methodologies and approaches.

ENGLISH
Full-time faculty positions are available specializing in English Education.
Qualifications/Experience:
* Applicants must have an earned doctorate (PhD/ED.D) degree in English Education
* Previous experience in curriculum development, supervision of teaching practice, and teaching experience at elementary and secondary schools would be an advantage
* Relevant teaching experience for at least five years, preferably at a tertiary level
* Proficiency in the use of Information Technology in teaching is required
* Experience in teaching English to speakers of other languages will be an asset

MATHEMATICS
Full-time faulty positions in Mathematics Education.
Qualifications/Experience:
* Possess a PhD or MA degree in Mathematics or Science discipline
* Experience as a full-time faculty member demonstrating teaching effectiveness and research
* Experience in an Education teaching institution would be an asset

SCIENCE (Physics, Biology, Chemistry)
Full-time faculty positions in Science Education.
Qualifications/Experience:
* Possess a PhD or MA degree in Science Education
* Experience as a full-time faculty member demonstrating teaching effectiveness and research
* Experience in an Education teaching institution would be an asset
* At least 3 years teaching experience at the secondary level and/or post secondary level
* Must demonstrate knowledge of contemporary teaching practices
* Teaching or training certificates an asset

EDUCATION STUDIES
Full-time faculty positions in the following areas: Psychological Studies, Guidance and Counselling, Assessment and Social Foundations.
Qualifications/Experience:
* Possess a PhD or M.A. degree in a discipline appropriate for the department
* Experience as a full-time faculty member with demonstrated expertise in teaching and research
* Successful university teaching experience and research in field of specialization

INSTRUCTORS
The College Foundation Department offers an academic development program for students entering the Emirates College for Advanced Education 4-year degree program. This program helps to bridge the gap between secondary education and the requirements of higher education in the UAE. Components of the program include English, Mathematics, Science, Critical and Creative Thinking.

The academic development program seeks to build and extend the knowledge and skills acquired through secondary education so that they are ready to meet the challenges of advance content mastery.

MATHEMATICS
Essential Skills & Qualifications:
* Master's degree in Mathematics or Mathematics Education or Bachelor's degree with 5-8 years of relevant experience may be considered
* At least 3 years teaching experience at the secondary level and/or post secondary level
* Teaching or training certificates an asset
* Fluent in written and spoken English

General
* Willingness to work in a dynamic, changing environment
* Ability to work effectively with a culturally diverse population
* Must demonstrate knowledge of contemporary teaching practices
* Able to use Information Technology

Salary Package:
Competitive salary package (tax free) plus benefits.

Applications:
Please email resume, with covering letter to: [email protected]

Deadline for submitting application: April 20, 2007.

SCIENCE (Physics, Biology, Chemistry)
Essential Skills & Qualifications:
* Master's degree in Science (Physics, Biology, Chemistry) or Science Education or Bachelor's degree with 5-8 years of experience may be considered
* At least 3 years teaching experience at the secondary level and/or post secondary level
* Teaching or training certificates an asset
* Fluent in written and spoken English

Categories: Academic administration, Teacher education

[Buur]

I know someone who has received an offer from that college. His concern was the salary etc. What was the salary offered to your wife? what about other benefits such as annual ticket? Does your wife posses M.A. or Ph.D.?

Buur

[spicegirl]

The Emirates College for Advanced Education is offering what looks like a very good salary range - it was quoted in US dollars, but seems to work out at a range of approximately Dhs 14.500 - Dhs 21.000. However, I imagine the upper end will be for the management / PhD posts.

There are two aspects which would make me think twice about taking a job there: the first is that there is only about a one-month holiday (unless they've re-thought this), which may be fine for those who've been used to teaching in private language schools in Europe, for example, but which is far from the norm for government or semi-government institutions in the UAE.

The second thing which would make me pause for thought is the syllabus / curriculum. This college is apparently importing the 'expertise' of the Singapore education system. From what I've heard, the curriculum is being developed by people in Singapore who have very little or no experience of teaching or materials development in the UAE.

Many of us know what it's like to use inappropriately designed materials at a level which doesn't suit our students, but if the syllabus is rigid, then it doesn't make for a very high level of job satisfaction.

[adorabilly]

My wife was offered a great salary (above $45k US a year, I'm not at liberty to disclose the exact amount, but needless to say it raised our eyebrows) annual round trip tickets for our family (all 5 of us), medical insurance, housing for 5, relocation allowances, and free expat schooling for our 3 kids.

There was also talk of a job for me when if I can finish my MA in Educational Technology in January. (I have 3 years teaching experience)

My wife's qualifications, 3 years teaching American College level english courses abroad. 3 years concurrent teaching EAP english, and a MA in TESL.

[Iamherebecause]

They were recruiting at TESOL Arabia too. In spite of the decent looking salary I know folk who refused the offer because of the short vacation and the parachuting in of a Singapore curriculum and materials. UAE students are NOT the same as Singaporese students - this is EFL not ESL and the education system here has a whole set of problems they don't have in Singapore.

[Manny2]

Yes, can't understand why they are offering only 6 weeks annual vacation- hardly competitive ! However, the rest of their package seems pretty generous as compared to what other institutions are offering .

[Stephen Jones]

[veiledsentiments]

I can just imagine what a nightmare it is going to be trying to use the completely inappropriate materials from Singapore emphasizing hours and hours of conversation courses...

Isn't that going to nicely bridge that 'gap' between what they learned in school versus what they need for academic studies. (or rather 'didn't' learn)

It will be even worse than the nightmare of CNA in Qatar who shipped over all their Canadian materials and took a few years to understand that 95% of it was useless and unusable.

VS

[adorabilly]

Hi VS and others.

My wife was recruited at the Seattle TESOL convention, and she had asked specifically about the curriulum, and had not heard any of this singapore curriculum information.

Can anyone verify this information?
We have been several places where the curriculum was a joke, and we dont' really want to move into a situation like that in the future if we can avoid it.

[Iamherebecause]

Why not just ask them direct? It would be a reasonable enough question from someone thinking of accepting a post.

[adorabilly]

My wife did ask about the curriculum when at the TESOL conference in Seattle, and it nothing as mentioned about a predone curriculum from singapore.

so when I heard it here, I was asking here for anyone who can substantiate this claim.

we will be writing to ask the ecae, but since I heard it here first, I wanted to find out more information.

[Edmond Dantes]

Think twice before accepting a position with ECAE. Rumour has it here in A.D. that it is a dodgy, ill-conceived mess, or at least that it will be when and if it opens. Best to stay away and go with HCT or Zayed.