Job Discussion Forums

[Neilhrd]

I am glad to get confirmation from Malu of the differences between GAC in Indonesia and China. I had previously inferred the same thing from my own research using the websites of various GAC centres around the world.

What prompted my inquiries was dogmatic and repeated claims made by RAM that the academic standard in GAC was an absolute standard which is the same everywhere. She insisted that as a result I had no authority to adjust the content, timetable or teaching methods to suit the level of the students and thereby keep them motivated. Demotivation among students being force fed courses which are way over their heads was, and is, a serious problem and I felt it was my job as DOS to be flexible where I could to keep as many students as possible actively learning.

I also raised the issue of how research based projects can be moderated fairly when some students have months to do the research and ample academic resources and others have days with no academic back up. My RAM and her predecessor couldn't or wouldn't answer this.

I eventaully compiled a dossier of contradictory practices in various centres and countries. I sent this by e mail to Shanghai and copied it to Gaye Pullen in Australia at the end of last year. They both refused to discuss the substantive issue. All I got from Australia was a terse e mail telling me to mind my own business. I also received a coded warning from the coordinator of my centre telling me not to raise such issues because it would "bring trouble on our centre". In the ensuing argument this phrase was repeated many times. She declined to elaborate on what exactly was being threatened or by who but the message I got was that my job was in jeapordy.

I have never been able to establish who is behind the bastardised version of GAC which is being sold in China. Is the driving force the Chinese RAMs, the country manager, Andrew Todd, the Chinese government, the franchisees or who? Therefore I am not pointing any fingers in this e mail but the confusion about who I am reporting to and the objectives of the GAC programme have played a large part in my decision not to renew my contract.

[englishgibson]

Neil, i bet all of the above people you've mentioned are involved and your lovley coordinator coordinates the process as well. To establish that "bastardizing" you're talkin'about, or to find real proof, you'd have to hire the great inspector Columbo. However, he's on the crime scene somewhere around the financially strapped American Unis that've accepted the millions of dollars "gifts".

[malu]

[englishgibson]

So many times in past 10 months, I have been told that my son is sooo handsome, and that, because he is "mixed blood"

The GAC/ACT has created a controversy in Chinese education and it seems that there's a bitter fight over how to approach high school education in the country. Allowing the students more choices (foreign education) may as it looks compromise their achievments.

However, there're more successful programs out of Chinese unis where students, in the middle of their studies, are sent abroad to graduate with MAs which has become a kinda competition for the GAC centers. It seems more reasonable to begin in a Chinese uni and if one fails in English he/she can still end up with a Chinese qualification/graduation papers. I believe the GAC centers are having troubles coping with this competetion that takes the better students, the cream of the crop, and so there are only the "left overs", students with inadequate aptitude that're waiting for another opportunity..the GAC

Cheers and beers to GACs with great students

[YAMARI]

What is it like to work for edukeys? Please send me a pm if you know.