Job Discussion Forums

disregardedknowledge · Joined: 12 Nov 2008 Posts: 63

Can anyone provide me with some info about pay at IAT? I have heard the highs and lows but a lot of it seems to relate to the past. How much should I request? Also, regarding housing, does their allowance comfortably cover housing costs in Abu Dhabi and Dubai? I have the impression that most housing in the Emirates require 12 months paid up front! True?! They don't even accept post-dated checks for rent? Anyway, how much housing allowance should be expected? Feel free to PM as this topic has been discussed. THANKS!

helenl · Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Posts: 1202

There's been a reversion to the year in advance rent cheque since the global financial meltdown and dont see it reversing in the near future. If you have a job that offers housing (not an allowance) it will cover it. Post dated cheques are being frowned upon and are causing a minor/major problem in GCC countries. They've been used as security, but they're only secure so long as the signatory remains in the country. Not an issue in Qatar or Saudi for examples as the former requires the sponsor to provide an exit pass and the latter holds your passport.
In UAE, neither applies to most "middle class" or above.

So far as I know IAT requires shared housing but I stand to be corrected on this point. FYI IAT = knuckle draggers.

chanchanhae · Joined: 10 Jun 2009 Posts: 72 Location: Kenya

Stay away

Incedere · Joined: 21 Oct 2007 Posts: 58

helenl · Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Posts: 1202

Perhaps I confused the housing because I knew 4 teachers from IAT who lived in the same house - so it must have been voluntary sharing rather than imposed.

The Gulf News in the past 7 days has reported (and I realize they're not necessarly the most reliable on certain topics) that landlords are starting to revert to asking for a year up front - because of people defaulting on post dated cheques (a problem everywhere in the GCC).

I did not say IAT staff were knuckle draggers, although I can see how my post was not specific enough. Students at IAT in the past have usually been those who could not get entry into HCT (at least not directly from high school) as they don't have the grades or language skills.

I must say I am surprised that IAT graduates are being accepted to US and British universities in such numbers.

My knowledge of IAT was restricted to the branch in a small emirate - sounds like the guys in Dubai are really are "rocket scientists".

Your experience is direct and on the ground - the OP should consider it carefully.

Incedere · Joined: 21 Oct 2007 Posts: 58

helenl · Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Posts: 1202

Cheques may be on the way out period. In the UK, there's a deadline to eliminate cheques by 2018 - and for the bank's to come up with a solution to the void it will leave in the system.

In Qatar, the central bank has set a deadline of May 1 this year whereby after that date, post dated cheques can be presented at any time for payment no matter what the date - that's going to be a big mess

crazycatlady · Posted: Wed May 26, 2010 11:16 am Post subject:

i just got an offer from iat. can anyone tell me what it's like to work there?

Incedere · Joined: 21 Oct 2007 Posts: 58

It's a great place to work (though I am quite biased...so reserve judgment until you've had a chance to suss out the place for yourself), and you will have a lot of opportunities for personal and professional growth.

The students are spoiled in that they are paid a salary, and given MacBooks (...and iPods starting next year), streamlined into internships and jobs, and paid very handsomely for very minimal military training requirements), but they are also held to pretty high standards. Grade 12's have to achieve an IELTS band 5 to graduate, and must earn their IC3 certification. That, on top of mandatory SATS (for Engineering/Science cluster students), the uniform and behaviour codes, and attendance enforcement have resulted in a school that seems a heck of a lot more like a North American prep school, than a normal high school in the UAE.

johnslat · Posted: Wed May 26, 2010 5:08 pm Post subject:

Dear incendere,

iPods or iPads?

Regards,
John

Incedere · Joined: 21 Oct 2007 Posts: 58

As far as I know, it's supposed to be iPod classics (160gb). Though that could be changed to iPads or cancelled outright. But incoming grade 9's were told about getting MacBooks and iPods.

As frivolous as that sounds, I actually hope the do get iPods. There are a tons of things we can do in regards to remediation that would be easier to do using iPods rather than just MacBooks.