Job Discussion Forums

[Odilo]

This is how they advertise themselves:

Join Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT), one of the largest, most progressive and innovative centers for higher learning in the United Arab Emirates. It is an environment that both desires and produces excellence. Our 14 campuses throughout the country have expanded rapidly while consistently maintaining a commitment to excellence in teaching and learning that has made HCT a leader in education and training.

Reality:

Put negatives and you get a clearer pict. If you want to be treated badly by a bunch of incompetent administrators.. then by all means, you,re found your niche.

Seriously avoid this place...

[adorabilly]

Since they have 14 different campus's, I wonder which one you worked for.

I have heard mixed reviews about some of the HCT campus's, but this is the first all negative review.

which campus did you work for?

[veiledsentiments]

Seriously... don't base any decisions on one blanket post from one person on a discussion board...

As adorabilly pointed out, there are 14 branches with slightly varying conditions both in their managements... and in their teaching staffs...

Do a search here and read all the posts. A job searcher can find more balanced discussion of the pros and cons.

VS

[helenl]

seems to be tightening the reins at HCT recently (how do you spell micro-management?). There are amendments to everyone's current contracts that must be signed off before August 1st in order to get one's pseudo 12% increase (in reality a 6% increase as no one will get the regular 6% increment in their August pay)

Please Note: Sheikhah Lubnah, UAE minister for UAE Economic Development stated last week in the Gulf News that the inflation rate in UAE last year was about 9.5% - also note that this "increase" is the first in about 8 years.

Among these amendments - the VC will now have to sign off on resignations less than 6 calendar months (in the past so long as you gave a full semester's notice, you were OK) or teachers will have to forfeit all their "end of service benefits for the current contract". Does this mean airfares home? Relocation allowances? as well as gratuities? Who knows?

Also be aware that housing is starting to become an issue because of the rising rents all over the UAE, not just Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah but also in the smaller emirates.

Is HCT still offering one of the better packages in the GCC? Yes, but others are starting to catch up if not overtake them. The current policy seems to be "pen them in once they're here" rather than giving people a good reason to stay - as any HR professional worth their salt can tell you, that's arse backwards. (Not a technical term)

[veiledsentiments]

There is no question that the conditions, salaries, and benefits have degraded significantly over the last 15 years - in all the gulf, and pretty much all the employers.

And this is pretty much true for EFL/ESL everywhere... even more so back home for most of us.

I had to laugh at the statement that the 9.5% increase in inflation was the 'first in about 8 years.' As in the "first' to be admitted to? Of course I live in the land of inflation fiction over here in the US...

VS
(BTW, my contract in the early 90's specifically stated that a 6 month notice was required, but one could leave in less than that if one had dire circumstances... so that doesn't appear to be a big change. The question is whether the VC will be reasonable about it.)

[Shakhbut]

[bje]

[Shakhbut]

Good for you, bje.
We're clearly at different colleges.

[veiledsentiments]