Job Discussion Forums

007 · Posted: Wed May 27, 2009 2:22 pm Post subject:

Well, according to Saudi university rules, a teacher of English is called in Arabic �مدرس� (Mudarris), and it will be written in your Iqama as �مدرس� (Mudarris) + your subject area (e.g. Teacher of English). The benefits for a teacher are different from a lecturer or a professor! For example, the summer holiday for a teacher is 45 days instead of 60 days (as for lecturers, asst. profs, etc). Some Saudi universities use the term �member of a teaching faculty� for lecturers (Master) and Asst/Asso/Professors (PhD). Other universities recruit people as �Teacher� even though they hold a Master degree!

jdl · Joined: 06 Apr 2005 Posts: 632 Location: cyberspace

Ah, the benefits of caste!

johnslat · Posted: Wed May 27, 2009 4:09 pm Post subject:

At the IPA, we were not called teachers or staff; we were called "Assistant Trainers" (at least in English.)
I managed to hold onto my last IPA I.D. because a "typo" on it was just way too wonderful to give up:

Name: _________

Nationality: U.S.A.

Job Title: Ass Trainer

I.D. Number: ______

Blood Type: _______

Got to LOVE it.

Regards,
John

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

Well... now we will all ponder what you trained it/them to do. Cool

VS

007 · Posted: Wed May 27, 2009 4:25 pm Post subject:

johnslat · Posted: Wed May 27, 2009 4:30 pm Post subject:

Dear 007,

I believe U.S.A. as my nationality is actually a lot more accurate than "American" since all Canadians, Mexicans, Central and South Americans are also "Americans."
Regards,
John

007 · Posted: Wed May 27, 2009 4:45 pm Post subject:

johnslat · Posted: Wed May 27, 2009 5:20 pm Post subject:

Dear 007,
As you can see, American has more than one meaning:
adj.
Of or relating to the United States of America or its people, language, or culture.
Of or relating to North or South America, the West Indies, or the Western Hemisphere.
Of or relating to any of the Native American peoples.
Indigenous to North or South America. Used of plants and animals.

n.
A native or inhabitant of America.
A citizen of the United States.
American English.

After all, people do come from Central AMERICA and South AMERICA.

Regards,
John

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Wed May 27, 2009 5:30 pm Post subject:

♫ Coming to America. ♫ C'mon Neil, where are ya when we need a refrain from ya!

NCTBA Laughing

007 · Posted: Wed May 27, 2009 5:38 pm Post subject:

It seems somebody is beeping and boiling in Tora Bora?
Still the MISSION IS NOT COMPLETE! Laughing

desultude · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 614

At least one person working at PMU was hired as faculty, then "demoted" to staff (none of his duties or responsibilities had changed.)

As a result in the change of status, his number of vacations days was reduced greatly. His insurance was changed to a lower level. He was required to work the "staff" work hours, and required to clock in and out (which he successfully refused to do). They also tried to change his housing.

I see the administrations efforts to classify faculty as staff as having at least the potential to reduce benefits and increase hours. I could see this happening especially with preparatory program faculty. At PMU the prep faculty certainly got less respect, and there was a desire, and continuing effort, to increase work hours.

Asda · Joined: 01 Jun 2008 Posts: 231

Just picking up on the Nationality: USA, WHY is it SO widespread amongst the Arab world to use 'British' to mean 'Britain'...?!? It's not just the Gulf, for many Egyptians say it as well.

For example:

Student - Doctooooor, you from Britsh?!
Me - I am from Britain, yes!

Uncle Al · Joined: 18 Aug 2009 Posts: 3 Location: Saudi Arabia

One thing to keep in mind at least in regards to pictures of faculty housing in Saudi Arabia� it is illegal to take pictures of infrastructure in Saudi Arabia is going to be difficult to find. I�ve picture of Khobar and the Causeway, but it is still illegal. There are even signs along the outside of PMU�s Oryx 1 compound saying taking pictures is prohibited.