Job Discussion Forums

Ann2 · Joined: 15 Jun 2007 Posts: 7

I've verbally been offered a position with GUST in the ELU Department. Two weeks ago, I was told an official job offer was being sent to me. I still haven't received anything from them. Is this normal for GUST. Also, no definite amount was mentioned for salary. Through the grapevine, I have heard that it is approximately KD 1,400 (including the living allowance) per month. Is this accurate?

Rommel · Joined: 01 Apr 2006 Posts: 121

Ann,

I have a friend who was also offered a position with GUST, with a similar pay package. After two weeks of waiting, nothing being done, he went elsewhere.

Ann2 · Joined: 15 Jun 2007 Posts: 7

Thanks

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

This is not uncommon for universities in the Middle East. They often lose good people because they don't stay in touch and let you know the paperwork is slowly creeping through the system... or not...

All expat teachers have to go through the government bureaucracy along with the related university bureaucracy. They both tend to move at the average glacial rate...

VS

Ann2 · Joined: 15 Jun 2007 Posts: 7

I received an e-mail from GUST today saying I need to have diplomas attested by the Kuwaiti Educational Mission. I taught in Kuwait several years ago, so all diplomas and transcripts have already been attested by them once. However, GUST claims I have to go through the procedure again. Does anyone have contact information for the Kuwaiti Educational Mission in the U.S.? I'm outside the U.S. right now, so this is going to be challenging as far as time goes.

grab-bag · Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 104

Get your documents attested by your embassy. The go to the Kuwait Embassy in the country you reside in to get them stamped again. That should do it.

GUST is known as a volatile place. They have had a lot of management issues, problems and changes in the past few years. The management operates a spy system so you had better be careful. Make sure you do not upset the apple cart. Kuwait University is a better place to work.
Have you applied to them?

The administration at GUST is just a profit making group of racketeers. Education is not big on their list - making money is. So be very careful when you get there. The students can be quite wild. The administration wants to please them and bend over backwards to make sure they stay in the place. Be careful of the students are well. They have been known to complain about teachers that GUST later got rid of. Check KU for job vacancies. It's a more stable place.

15yearsinQ8 · Joined: 17 Oct 2006 Posts: 462 Location: kuwait

OP google - kuwait culture
i think it's www.kuwaitculture.com or .org
the culturall consellor diivision at kuwait embassy in wash dc authenticates degree (in a very haphazard way)

if you're in kuwait, go to free trade zone, ministry of higher educ bldg 2 ground floor - bring a smile, patience and candy for overworked clerks and it'll cost a 5KD stamp? but you may need a letter from GUST before you go....

i agree w/ grab bag though. don't accept unless you want to be disGUSTed - you'll find out what i mean....

grab-bag · Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 104

More staffing and administration problems at GUST. A place to avoid. KU is a lot better if you can get in. They check your credentials thoroughly so those had better be in order. Most of the units have good administration and a lot of great teachers. AUK is another possibility but watch out for the department head - a lady with a lot of baggage that needs to be emptied.

Good luck.

miski · Joined: 04 Jul 2007 Posts: 298 Location: Kuwait

Hi everyone and Happy New Year.

i sent a CV to GUST about three weeks ago. They told me it was 'in the system' and they were recruiting after 15th January.....

Kuwait University Language Centre pay about 1700KD per month ( perhaps for Kuwaiti nationals I don't know) and the teaching is minimal each day ( 1 or 2 hours). However, you need a degree in a related field and an MA in linguisitcs or TESOL (I was told).

15yearsinQ8 · Joined: 17 Oct 2006 Posts: 462 Location: kuwait

full time KU ESL teachers teach more than 1 hour a day
GUST will require your degree to be authenticated
1700KD a month at KU ? for a plain esl teacher? maybe for a kuwaiti man with 4 kids......

miski · Joined: 04 Jul 2007 Posts: 298 Location: Kuwait

I don't know- maybe she's bluffing, but they did get a pay rise this year I think- wish I had her money ( and free time)...I am on 24 lessons a week contact , unpaid cover whenever and teaching over god knows how many students ( not at the same time of course)....there has to be a better option !

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

Different departments tend to teach different hours at KU. When I was there, the main EFL dept had 15 weekly contact hours, but my department had 10.

VS

pat blake · Joined: 21 Nov 2006 Posts: 31 Location: Kuwait

The Language Center teachers at KU have 15 contact hours per week and Faculty of Medicine and Allied Health English teachers have a 10. KU teachers now get about 1300 dinars per month (this includes housing); air fare, a three-month summer holiday and two-week mid-year break.

also in saudi · Joined: 26 Feb 2006 Posts: 137

pat blake -

You say language center at KU teachers receive 1300 KD/month and a 3- month summer vacation.

Are they paid for the 3-month vacation?

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

Of course... all contracts in the Middle East are for 12 months. If one would be unpaid for 3 months, that would be NO vacation. Laughing

KU has one of the longest summer breaks. It can range from 6 weeks to 3 months depending on employer in the Gulf. Also, all employers pay you for the full summer leave before you go on leave.

VS