Job Discussion Forums

[mishmumkin]

When do new teachers usually arrive in the UAE for university contracts? Mid-August?

With Ramadan likely starting in early September this year, is there any speculation as to whether or the start of the school year will be delayed?

What does the academic year look like in most universities? September-June?

[Afra]

New teachers usually arrive about mid-August. To ask what arrangements might be in place, or even considered, for the next Ramadan, which is due to start almost at the beginning of the academic year, is expecting a degree of forward planning which would be unusual here. The best option would be to delay the start of the academic year until after Eid but logic doesn't rule. The end of the coming semester will reveal all.

[mishmumkin]

[helenl]

why would the academic year be delayed? No uni shuts down during Ramadan so why would they just because it's starting early in September this year? If they did open later - then the academic year would have to be prolonged on the other end by a month - into the hottest time of the year.

[mishmumkin]

[kiefer]

Next year, most fall semesters will start then go straight into Ramadan either week two or three.

Fall 2009 will mostly go straight into Ramadan during registration week.

Beginning in Fall 2010, Ramadan should begin towards the end of the holidays.

Looking ahead: there will come a time in the next few years when Ramadan won't affect the school year at all and it will come around during the summer months for years to follow.

That has to be a once in a lifetime experience.

[Afra]

There is a pay cheque at the end of August, unless things have changed.
Having Ramadan start in the second week of the semester was very disruptive. New students hadn�t settled in because of two weeks of orientation, all students were tired in class due to lack of sleep, attendance dropped off as the month progressed and nothing really got started until after Eid. There must be a more effective way of utilising this time. The �system� needs to allow more flexibility and solicit opinion from teachers as to creative ways of working without losing academic advantage. Although I didn�t suggest pushing back the academic year one month, it doesn�t seem such a bad idea. It�s hot towards the end of June when the year finishes and it�s hot six weeks later when teachers return to work in mid-August. But the last few weeks of the year is an assessment period, not regular classes, so things are more relaxed and a later start to the year would allow outdoor team building activities and help orientation.

[helenl]

How about starting the classes earlier in the day? Students (and any muslim faculty) have to get up early for breakfast and prayers before dawn, starting early at least they have something on their stomachs, they finish earlier - can go home and rest before sunset and the ensuing evening entertainments/diversions.

At least that way they'd have a bigger block of time to actually rest rather than the usual 1 or 2 hours that so many seem to allot themselves - and really, the tiredness issue is usually self inflicted.

[kiefer]

All great suggestions. You know how the powers that be are over here--always willing to lend an ear, listen to outsiders' opinions, and learn. They are renowned for acting quickly and implementing fresh ideas, especially when it comes to steering away from hallowed traditions.

[helenl]

Sorry, having a logical zen moment. I've ducked my head in a bucket of ice water - have now returned to the "real" world that is the GCC

[kiefer]

[veiledsentiments]

For a moment I thought I had wandered onto the wrong branch.

VS