Job Discussion Forums

Odilo · Joined: 03 May 2006 Posts: 15

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 · Joined: 20 May 2006 Posts: 430 Location: Ras Al Khaimah

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 · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

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 · Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Posts: 1202

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 · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

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 · Joined: 14 May 2005 Posts: 167

bje · Joined: 19 Jun 2005 Posts: 527

Shakhbut · Joined: 14 May 2005 Posts: 167

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

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

bje · Joined: 19 Jun 2005 Posts: 527

helenl · Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Posts: 1202

The inflation rate in UAE has risen between 6% - 14% per annum according to the UAE central bank. However, HCT has only provided performance increments of a flat 6% during the same period - no adjustments for inflation. Basically, salaries (as they have in nearly all employment sectors) have been steadily decreasing as a result of the inflation.

Some government sectors have received increases of 25% - 40% in the past 18 months to help compensate (this is over and above regular increments).

Sorry for the confusion

Shakhbut · Joined: 14 May 2005 Posts: 167

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

helenl · Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Posts: 1202

housing is always an issue in the GCC (and I would think anywhere if you work abroad). However, HCT is now seriously looking at their housing allowances/provisions (always one of the best available and taken for granted) for economic reasons. As has been noted in other posts, rent has risen astronomically in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah.

However, less well known is that a lot of residents (HCT faculty and others) of the former are looking at accomodation in "less expensive" emirates such as RAK, UAQ and Fujairah. The commute can be comparable to Dubai from Sharjah and Ajman and the conditions are very favourable for young families. Ergo, rents are rising in the "lesser" emirates (unfortunately).

HCT has not taken this into consideration, basing housing on past history rather than on current trends in the marketplace. Rumor (which runs rampant in HCT) has it that the "lesser" emirates will have their housing allowances reduced to subsidise those more famous emirates. It's just another concern for those in the lesser emirates, especially if they have families and wish to maintain their standard of living.

One option that has been brought upis that HCT faculty might be given the opportunity to find their own housing. This does not mean you'll be given a check for the applicable housing allowance, just that you will have to search out housing you deem appropriate, then HCT will cut the check directly to the landlord. No skimming allowed.

Also be aware that the current HCT mindset is that once you "opt out" of the housing system (you find your own) you will never be allowed back in. So if rents eventally exceed your allowance (and that can take as little as 6 months right now) you're on your own and paying out of your own pocket for the difference.

takeorleave · Joined: 23 Nov 2006 Posts: 17

Many thanks to VS for doing a significant amount of homework by pointing out the various allotted pay raises in the educational Gulf Tefl market. Seriously. Though as VS has pointed out it is a wave to ride and we can always go somehere else if we don't like it. This is why takeorleave has the moniker. In the end teachers cannot say what they write on these threads in a meeting; we all know what will happen - you'll be pegged as a person who asked a totally legitimate question that no one would ever do, especially if the director was at the meeting. That's why many threads are locked and so much info is lost - people just start to wig out after a while and then take it out in other ways amoung their colleagues - most usually when they are hungover - seen this all too often. So they buyer needs a hundred eyes, the seller - none. How much you can take results in how much you need when you leave...AND takeorleave is convinced the locals do not refer to the current state of ESL in the US or anywhere else when they hire...not en thier vcaubuary... much 2 essstute for make thise observerbashion. Do not blame them, the westerners with big medicine PHD have no regard for an MA Tefl. Once they compare what they made at a piddly program back in the real world and see what an MA makes in the Gulf they get really, really resentful. Most of the directors in language programs see you as a psuedo professional anyway. Ride your wave enjoy what you can and decide how long you need or want to work and live in an environment as unique/strange/awful/great as this - it is all personified when you get here...best regards.