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rhamses
Joined: 05 May 2009
Posts: 21
Location: Mexico
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 Posted: Wed May 06, 2009 9:10 pm Post subject: Al Rajhi Univeristy |
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| I just got an offer to work at Al Rajhi Univeristy in Al Qassim Saudi Arabia. Since Ive never been to SA can anyone give me some feedback on how it is to work for Al Rajhi. |
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freesoul
Joined: 09 Mar 2009
Posts: 240
Location: Waiting for my next destination
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| Posted: Thu May 07, 2009 7:21 am Post subject: |
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It's obviously a new uni and as such it will go through the same big mess each new uni typically does during the first ( or second... may be third!!) year(s) of its commencement.
Good luck |
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Mia Xanthi
Joined: 13 Mar 2008
Posts: 955
Location: why is my heart still in the Middle East while the rest of me isn't?
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| Posted: Thu May 07, 2009 7:32 am Post subject: |
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According to my students, Al Qassim is famous for being pretty much the most conservtive place in Saudi Arabia. I've been told that "miss, some of the men won't even buy abayas for their wives so that they can never leave the house!"
I am sure that much of this is exaggeration, but still you should take into account that it is generally easier for a "western" non-Muslim to live in the more liberal areas such as Jeddah or the Eastern Province. To me, Al Qassim would be a hardship post. |
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007
Joined: 30 Oct 2006
Posts: 2684
Location: UK/Veteran of the Magic Kingdom
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| Posted: Thu May 07, 2009 11:51 am Post subject: |
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Well, Al Qassim Province is known as a center of religion and culture.
The capital city, Buraydah, is famous for its tourist attractions and festivals.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al_Qasim
Al Rajhi University has links with Maastricht University.
There is a public university in Al-Qassim, called Qassim University. |
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rhamses
Joined: 05 May 2009
Posts: 21
Location: Mexico
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| Posted: Thu May 07, 2009 2:29 pm Post subject: Al Rajhi Univeristy |
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| freesoul wrote: |
It's obviously a new uni and as such it will go through the same big mess each new uni typically does during the first ( or second... may be third!!) year(s) of its commencement.
Good luck |
Thanks for the info, but can you be more specific about a "big mess" that all new universities go through???
Thanks |
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freesoul
Joined: 09 Mar 2009
Posts: 240
Location: Waiting for my next destination
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| Posted: Thu May 07, 2009 4:17 pm Post subject: |
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well! just browse quickly over some of the ME posts on Unis and you will get a feel of it.
As for the salary you've been offered, my only advise is: DON'T EVER TAKE IT. |
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Mia Xanthi
Joined: 13 Mar 2008
Posts: 955
Location: why is my heart still in the Middle East while the rest of me isn't?
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| Posted: Thu May 07, 2009 9:28 pm Post subject: |
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| Thanks for the info, but can you be more specific about a "big mess" that all new universities go through??? |
Having just gone through the Saudi "start-up" experience myself, I can tell you what to expect.
Massive turnover the first semester in faculty and management. Some will run, some will be fired.
Rampant paranoia as the management turn into the "thought police" in the first year.
Wilding changing policies if you are lucky, no policies at all if you aren't. You come in never knowing what the rules are going to be that day.
Students taking advantage of all the chaos to get rid of any teacher they want by reporting on anything they don't like that you do in class. The words "bad teacher" alone are enough to get you sent packing the first year...before they realize that it is actually hard to recruit and keep teachers.
No books, no supplies, no system for disseminating books or supplies
Wild (and often very entertaining) rumors about everyone in the university. You will hear people accused of being spies, whoremongers, diseased, having fake degrees...most of which will be completely untrue.
Need more? I can supply it. And I really, honestly think that you don't want to go through it in Qassim for a modest salary. |
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rhamses
Joined: 05 May 2009
Posts: 21
Location: Mexico
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| Posted: Fri May 08, 2009 11:35 pm Post subject: |
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| Mia Xanthi wrote: |
| Quote: |
| Thanks for the info, but can you be more specific about a "big mess" that all new universities go through??? |
Having just gone through the Saudi "start-up" experience myself, I can tell you what to expect.
Massive turnover the first semester in faculty and management. Some will run, some will be fired.
Rampant paranoia as the management turn into the "thought police" in the first year.
Wilding changing policies if you are lucky, no policies at all if you aren't. You come in never knowing what the rules are going to be that day.
Students taking advantage of all the chaos to get rid of any teacher they want by reporting on anything they don't like that you do in class. The words "bad teacher" alone are enough to get you sent packing the first year...before they realize that it is actually hard to recruit and keep teachers.
No books, no supplies, no system for disseminating books or supplies
Wild (and often very entertaining) rumors about everyone in the university. You will hear people accused of being spies, whoremongers, diseased, having fake degrees...most of which will be completely untrue.
Need more? I can supply it. And I really, honestly think that you don't want to go through it in Qassim for a modest salary. |
Thank you so much!!! and yes please supply more!!!! |
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scot47
Joined: 10 Jan 2003
Posts: 15343
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| Posted: Sat May 09, 2009 10:47 am Post subject: |
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| Why go for one of the new universities - an unknown quantity - when you could get a place at one of the more establsihed ones ? |
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rhamses
Joined: 05 May 2009
Posts: 21
Location: Mexico
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| Posted: Sat May 09, 2009 12:00 pm Post subject: |
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| scot47 wrote: |
| Why go for one of the new universities - an unknown quantity - when you could get a place at one of the more establsihed ones ? |
I would prefer an answer rather thatn a question. Thats why I posted in the first place. If you some info I would appreciate it.
Thanks |
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007
Joined: 30 Oct 2006
Posts: 2684
Location: UK/Veteran of the Magic Kingdom
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| Posted: Sat May 09, 2009 1:51 pm Post subject: |
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| Mia Xanthi wrote: |
| Need more? I can supply it. |
Teta Mia, you forgot to tell him about the bad dreams of Windows and Xs and other nightmares of the Magic Kingdom! 
Have you applied for exit only visa or not yet? |
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veiledsentiments
Joined: 20 Feb 2003
Posts: 17644
Location: USA
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| Posted: Sat May 09, 2009 4:37 pm Post subject: |
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| rhamses wrote: |
| scot47 wrote: |
| Why go for one of the new universities - an unknown quantity - when you could get a place at one of the more establsihed ones ? |
I would prefer an answer rather thatn a question. Thats why I posted in the first place. If you some info I would appreciate it. |
I would say that he is giving you an answer. Those of us with Middle East experience and decent educational credentials would NEVER consider a new start-up school. They are invariably an absolute disaster to work for... everything from the administration organization of the visa and travel through the housing... lack of materials and procedures... and no one knows the answer to anything. ... think the worst nightmare job you have ever had.
I can't imagine why you would need more examples from Mia... Seriously, unless you are desperate for a job and this is your only offer, I would keep looking. As I recall, you have an MA and some experience, and even the salary on offer here was a gross insult. On the other thread, you said that the offer was 6000 SAR which is about US$1500. That is what I was offered with my new MA in 1988 in Oman - one of the lowest paying countries in the Gulf. Teachers in the UAE now who have an MA and a few years of related Academic English experience are getting US$3500-5000 a month plus the full benefit package. (and that is at established institutions)
VS |
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Cleopatra
Joined: 28 Jun 2003
Posts: 3657
Location: Tuamago Archipelago
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| Posted: Sat May 09, 2009 4:47 pm Post subject: |
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I agree with the tone of the above posts.
Even if Al Rahji university was a well-established institution with a good reputation - which it obviously is not - Qassim simply is not a good choice for a first time KSA-er. Indeed - and admittedly I've never been there, if the very consistent stories one hears about Qassim are true (see Mia's post above for some examples) it's not a good choice for just about anybody! Maybe if they were offering an exceptionally good package it might be worth considering - but again, that is definately not the case.
You still have a bit of time to look at other options. There are plenty of other institutions in the 'better' parts of KSA offering good deals to male teachers. This university needs to improve its salary if it is to have any hope of luring foreigners to the mutawwa heartland. |
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veiledsentiments
Joined: 20 Feb 2003
Posts: 17644
Location: USA
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| Posted: Sat May 09, 2009 5:26 pm Post subject: |
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HCT in the UAE just ran a new ad for teachers in the last couple days. If they made you an offer, it would be at least double the salary and their foibles are well known... no real surprises.
VS |
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felton
Joined: 16 Mar 2009
Posts: 41
Location: Sand, sun, and fun
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| Posted: Wed May 27, 2009 11:51 am Post subject: |
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I had an interview with them, but never heard back. If you say that it is out in the sticks, then it is best to beware. I was in the KSA many years ago, and just passing through these places gave me the blues!  |
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