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Robert2 · Joined: 12 Jul 2007 Posts: 18 Location: China

Warning - The opinion of an ex-teacher.

First let me say a very big "thank you" to Google.
Google has done more for Freedom and Democracy than any thing on this planet.

Bell/Obekan KSU

"Perhaps those working there are AFRAID to post here ?" Scott47

Well I worked there for 7 months. In one word "Hell"

Not the students, not the course materials, not the salaries.

But the crass, incompetent, disrespectful, dishonest management.

Greed drove me to KSU. Obekan/Bell management drove me away.

Some Points (opinions)

1. No Orientation Program - Nothing
2. "State of the art facilities" Ha Ha Ha
The worst facilities I have seen at any of the Universities I have been to. (I have taught in a number of Universities in a number of countries)
3.Visas - Dreadful Situations
(a) I went to 8 consecutive "HR" meetings and waited for over 45 minutes to be seen (they were late at all of them).
Then on the 9th meeting they kept me waiting for 5 hours and 19 minutes,
before I finally got my passport (back).
(b) Iwas kept waiting for weeks in Thailand at the start of the contract for the documentation for a visa. Again I was kept waiting for weeks in Thailand mid-way through the contract for the documtation
to re-new the visa and then told to fly to London at my own expense.
4. Morale. I have been working for 46 years and I have never seen morale as bad as that at KSU. Herzberg's theories really proved correct.
5. Management. There are countless examples.
One example:- A very easy going,intelligent teacher from the UK went to see the management. He was told "Come back after lunch"
He waited 2 hours, then knocked on the door again. He was told "I am busy. Come back later" Real "people friendly".

I could write a book about how bad things are at KSU but you can e-mail me for details or specifics.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Interesting, but is there only one who is brave enough to voice an opinion ? Is someone prepared to say that Bell/Obeikan is a nice place to work ?

wulfrun · Joined: 12 May 2008 Posts: 167

yes, interesting indeed

who are the management - saudi, ex-pat, ... ?

Robert2 · Joined: 12 Jul 2007 Posts: 18 Location: China

Two companies.

Bell - ex-pats (appear to be untrained in HR management)
Obekan - Bad Saudi Company.

Not a place you want to work unless you are ONLY interested in money.

Paul in Saudi · Joined: 03 Mar 2003 Posts: 404 Location: Doha, Qatar

Unless the OP can be more specific, his post seems only a brief and useless impression. Those of us who have not been there need more to understand what the problems are there.

I want to know more, please tell me.

Does it pay especially well? Is it the standard "foundation year" thing?

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Obeikan seem to make a reasonable job of running a chain of bookshops. Why not run a chain(gang) of teachers too ?

Paul in Saudi · Joined: 03 Mar 2003 Posts: 404 Location: Doha, Qatar

I have a phone interview with these guys in six hours. I wish you folks would have provided me with specific complaints and problems instead of a vague warning.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Given the number of teachers on this oproject it is strange that NOT ONE has posted. Fear ?

Robert2 · Joined: 12 Jul 2007 Posts: 18 Location: China

Actually Greed and Fear.

Many of the teachers there are very unhappy.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Two
How do you know ?