Job Discussion Forums

Spin duck · Joined: 26 Nov 2005 Posts: 25

For those interested, here's a recent fairly lengthy 'Guardian' blog article (Sunday 8th August) giving another general perspective on Astana, with responses coming in from readers, some of whom have quite a bit of insight on the city: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/aug/08/astana-kazakhstan-space-station-steppes

slaqdog · Joined: 29 Apr 2003 Posts: 211

So according to the article in question its a city designed to grow pulses....my pulse is certainly quickening at the prospect

seikaiwa · Joined: 11 Aug 2010 Posts: 5

Interesting! Thanks!

Dedicated · Joined: 18 May 2007 Posts: 972 Location: UK

Reliable, academic sources in the UK are saying that this "prestigious" project is already creaking and is a disaster in the making - definitely one to avoid unless they get their act together.

The Diploma part of the EAP programme in Astana has collapsed, and now there are about 500 students doing the Science and Engineering Foundation course. There are about 300 students doing physics, but only 2 teachers. Some EAP teachers arrived from as far away as China for the induction course at UCL but were so disappointed, they dropped out. Some paid expensive tickets for the interview but have been unable to get their money back.

A programme is only as good as its management. The UCL-based EAP coordinator himself dropped out at the eleventh hour leaving a young, 1 year post DELTA, none -MA holder to do the job. More experienced teachers could see the way things are heading so dropped out.

Let's see how this shapes up, but to date, it's not promising.

slaqdog · Joined: 29 Apr 2003 Posts: 211

A black picture indeed you paint; seems improbable given the rep of UCL and other Uni's involved in the project.
Do you work on this contract or did you attend an interview?
Inside information or gossip?

bje · Joined: 19 Jun 2005 Posts: 527

Dedicated · Joined: 18 May 2007 Posts: 972 Location: UK

This is not gossip, these are the facts, which have been witnessed by several people like myself who were interviewed, offered EAP senior posts, but realised that this is not being managed by the right people with the appropriate experience or qualifications.

Even prestigious organisations can make mistakes - this appears to be one. Check out the SWOT analysis done by the American partners for a start.

You may PM for more precise details.

bje · Joined: 19 Jun 2005 Posts: 527

Dedicated · Joined: 18 May 2007 Posts: 972 Location: UK

During the induction programme held at UCL and before getting on the plane for Kazakhstan!

txmsk · Joined: 10 Apr 2009 Posts: 58 Location: The World

slaqdog · Joined: 29 Apr 2003 Posts: 211

Its up and running-the Foundation year is=the usual teething problems=they are recruiting due to one no show a withdrawl for health reasons and to get extra cover.

lord dobbin · Joined: 26 Nov 2009 Posts: 11

does anyone know where they conduct interviews for jobs at this place and who interviews you? What were your impressions at interview? What sort of thing did they want to know? It usually gives some indication of whether they know what they're about....

Kipling · Posted: Sat Nov 06, 2010 8:04 am Post subject: Interviews for UCL Astana

Hi
Does anyone have any information on telephone interviews for the UCL Centre for Preparatory Studies, Nazarbayev University, Astana.

Would be very grateful for any information

You can pm me if you like.

Thanks

Mr K

slaqdog · Joined: 29 Apr 2003 Posts: 211

Lets see how this goes its early days

astanaKZ · Joined: 17 Oct 2010 Posts: 5