Job Discussion Forums

zorro2428 · Joined: 25 Dec 2009 Posts: 6

Hey guys
does anyone know if king abdul aziz university in jeddah has a compound [for families]..or do they give allowance for housing? and if there is a compound, how is it?

thanks!!!

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

When I was living in Jeddah housing on the compound of KAAU was only for "Doctors", ie holders of a PhD. Lesser mortals got a housing allowance and lived off-campus. That was 96 percent of the English faculty.

It may be different now.

Mr. Mead · Joined: 21 Apr 2009 Posts: 29 Location: West Midlands, UK

Zorro, KAAU does not offer accommodation either on campus or in a compound. They only provide a paltry housing allowance of 17,000 for BA/MA holders and 25,000 for those with PhDs. I cannot compare KAAU's housing allowance to that of other universities, but I can tell you this amount barely covers the monthly expenses of a modest flat. The least expensive private compound I'm aware of starts at 40,000/year, the remainder of which you'd have to service from your salary (as several instructors here do).

KAAU is not a very family-friendly employer. It lacks most of the benefits provided by other universities, and where benefits are stipulated (reimbursement of airfare for dependents, visa support), it has been an uphill battle getting these things. I'm aware of several colleagues who arrived with wife and children and were compensated only 30-50% of their airfare expenses. Upon arriving, everyone is given 8 nights in a 3 star hotel with no further support in locating accommodation. Some were lucky to find suitable housing quickly; others had to seek out a 1-month stay in another hotel whilst juggling teaching responsibilities in order to find accommodation they were happy with. It was not a very pleasant experience.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

I think that the package at KFUPM is better than at KAAU. Mind you Dhahran cannot compare to Jeddah as a place to be !

See www.kfupm.edu.sa

zorro2428 · Joined: 25 Dec 2009 Posts: 6

Thanks for the info guys! appreciate it...

scot47 couldnt reply to ur pm since I didn't have enough posts to send a pm Confused

, but yeah kfupm would definitely be my first choice but I havent ever had a response from them. Do you know if they are currently hiring? Or when do they start new hiring processes for sept 2010? I am currently working in Khobar but am just looking for some change, preferably in the university scene.

Thanks!

Stephen Jones · Joined: 21 Feb 2003 Posts: 4124

KFUPM are always processing job applications.

If you've already sent one in not too long ago it's pointless applying again.

The minimum is a first degree and CELTA and two years experience. In practice you'd probably need more.

You will also need an NOC if you are working in Saudi.

cyras · Joined: 06 Oct 2007 Posts: 9

After going through to the interview process I received an email from the Head of Recruitment Unit KAU confirming about my selection as an EL Instructor. I was advised to fill up their forms and email them along with the copies of educational degrees and reference letters. Last week I sent all that to the Head of the Recruitment Unit, KAU and now waiting for the reply for Preliminary Job Offer to be issued by HR department.

Can any one tell that how long this process would take?

For the preparations and planning purposes I would also like to know the total expected time from now to the actual time of arrival to Jeddah. Thank you.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

If it all goes well you might get there for Semester One in 2010/2011 - September 2010.

Mr. Mead · Joined: 21 Apr 2009 Posts: 29 Location: West Midlands, UK

Scot47's reply is accurate. I was hired this time last year (early Feb 2009) and waited 8-9 months for the visa invitation letter to arrive (Sept 2009) at the Saudi Cultural Bureau in London.

Cyras, I'd hold on to that resignation letter to your current employer.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

My replies may be acerbic or acidic, but they are usually accurate

johnslat · Posted: Sun Jan 10, 2010 6:23 pm Post subject:

Dear scot47,

"MAY BE!!!!" "MAY BE????" ALERT: Improper modal usage.

Regards,
John

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Oh go back to Krypton where you belong superslat !

Asda · Joined: 01 Jun 2008 Posts: 231

A friend of mine is working in Jeddah but has an interview at KFUPM in about two weeks time. What he wants to know is would it be reasonable to claim the flight fare back as expenses? If so, how would he go about asking for it? He's kind of scared they might knock him back...

johnslat · Posted: Sun Jan 10, 2010 8:41 pm Post subject:

Dear scot47,

I rest my case.

Krypton, by the way, is no more:

"Krypton itself was ultimately destroyed when its star began to collapse; the planet was pulled into the sun and ripped apart, then incinerated when the star went nova."

http://www.bigapricot.org/other/krypton.shtml

So, like Thomas Wolfe (and, for that matter anyone else who's ever left his/her birthplace,) I can't go home again.

Regards,
John

cyras · Joined: 06 Oct 2007 Posts: 9

Gentle men!

Thank you so very much for giving the enlightenment. Much appreciated for quick replies.

Mr. Mead,

Because you have recently been through to all that, can I pm you for any feed back any time in the future?

Thank you!