Job Discussion Forums

[redeyes]

Does is have a good one?Is it a good place to teach?

Sorry for askng a question probably posed countless times here -- and yes, I did a search, but it brought up so many pages and pages and pages of irrelevant results-- the search engine was sensitive to,and picked up on any and every mention of the words "UAE" and "University."

[uaeobserver]

UAEU is in Al Ain.

I used to enjoy reading BSS & BRN's blog from Al Ain. They've left the country, though. Al Ain Taxi used to be fun (that one's gone, too).

UAEU is in a period of transition. The top management is mostly western. However, a group of Egyptians, occasionally referred to as "the Egyptian Mafia" appear quite intact. If I was Egyptian, I'd likely remain firmly intact, too. Frankly - they've got more at stake than your typical western hemisphere tourist-minded academic.

They must have some reputation in-country ---- the Vice Chancellor of UAEU was selected to become the Minister of Justice, earlier this year. I don't think the Prime Minister would turn to the University if it had a bad reputation.

Last I heard, they were preparing for an unspecified western accrediting body to come through, and certify them as an accredited university.

Al Ain is the heart of UAE's culture - and provides a welcome respite from places like Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The standard of living is higher, and the pace is slower. Be forewarned they're a bit more conservative. It's not a good idea to walk around with a bottle of water in Al Ain during Ramadan. It's a much nicer place if you like outdoor adventures (dune and wadi bashing --- trekking, etc.)

[veiledsentiments]

redeye... here is a good thread on UAEU. You can hear from one person who doesn't like it and a few that do.

http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=61840&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

One advantage is that it has better weather. All the cities along the coast are VERY humid as the same time as they are VERY hot (8 months of the year). In Al Ain you are away from the humidity at least (but also away from the beaches if they interest you).

VS

[rocketchild]

who knew i would be a virtual expert on life in the Gulf...came for three months and stayed ten years...wtf.

anyway..it is a GREAT UNI.

the students have brains, mostly but you can expect more of the same Gulf like behavoir from them. They are a cut above the rest generally speaking.

In terms of management etc....it sucks all over the Gulf.

Occasionally you get a good person in charge, till you find out they are not.

Ask for a bit more than the offer. Bargining is part of the hiring process. Ask for a few hundred more per month and they will come down to a mid point between their first offer and your counter offer.

If you can make it thru the interview process. TAKE IT !!!!!

Read up on life in the Gulf, and what it really means to teach there.
Good luck.

[eha]

'I don't think the Prime Minister would turn to the University if it had a bad reputation. '

You don't seriously think such appointments have anything to do with reputation?

As for UAEU--- the Women's Campus is a cesspool of gossip, neurosis, cliquism and abuse of power. The Men's Campus (there are a couple of them) are relatively saner-- but the whole region is a place to watch your back. A lot of the stuff that goes on is simply beyond belief --- I expect that's why the True Stories don't get on here.

[redeyes]

eha, I just took the liberty of PM'ing you -- hope that's ok.

Thanks,

RE

[773]

[rocketchild]

773 has brought up an interesting topic.

teachers feeling paranoid, etc...
Do you guys think life in the GULF contributes to these feeling of isolation etc.

Working with mostly arab staff and Indians...do you find yourself feeling more and more of an outsider?

curious.

[Never Ceased To Be Amazed]

No, actually. I go to pains to include them in my group of friends as I had seen them badly abused in Saudi. My system simply couldn't function without the grand support of our Indian IT staff. That being said, however, my Indian co-workers are very cliquish. But, no more than any other Asian group. Those who see value in being part of a group have it in their DNA. Nothing wrong with that.

NCTBA

[773]

[veiledsentiments]

[773]

[veiledsentiments]

[mishmumkin]

[Iamherebecause]

In general it's a good place to work. People who leave often try to come back (not sure if that says something about UAEU or the individuals concerned though...). Management is a bit dodgy, especially at the very top of UGRU, but there's a good bunch of teachers. Gossip on the women's campus? I've heard that loads of times mostly from men who work on the men's campus. There used to be some people who liked to stir but they left years ago, unfortunately the reputation of Maqam being full of gossips and backstabbers stuck.

Problems: management - see above. Opaque payscale. Exams managed in a daft way (ridiculous deadlines for getting the marking done so hard to sustain fairness and retain marbles). Some of the people with positions of responsibility do not take criticism/discussion very well: on wonders what criteria are used to select them. Outside UGRU the quality of faculties varies a lot. Too much genuflecting to technology. Administrators who bend rules (on stuff like capping class sizes).

If you have kids the schools have their problems especially secondary. Al Ain has limited cultural/entertainment choices.

Good points: Good climate (rarely humid even when it's over 45c), easy to get to Oman, longer holidays and less time on campus than at HCT.