Job Discussion Forums

[Jim Bigelow]

I had posted (on the Saudi forum) a similar query about distance degrees being accepted in Saudi Arabia.
If you want to work in a niversity out in Saudi you must get your papers legalised by the Saudi Cultural Bureau in the country you obtained your degree. He called them in the states and was told that they will not approve ANY degree by distance, no matter which University!

I was really suprised to then I called and spoke to another person who told me exactly the same information!

Can this really be the case? As a side point, if you are working in the private sector then all you need is for it to be confirmed that you are the person on the Degree that's all.

[cody jarrett]

I have a distance MEd (TESOL) and I have recently worked in universities in Saudi Arabia and Oman.
Cody

[Jim Bigelow]

Cody:

Was the Masters from the states and if so did you go to the Saudi Cultural Bureau to get it stamped?

Thanks!

[cody jarrett]

Jim,
the degree is from the University of Edinburgh, Scotland.
I got all the paperwork done at the Saudi embassy in Bangkok. It was a time consuming experience, but there was never any mention of 'distance' degrees, or returning to the UK, or to my own country Ireland.
Cody

[livinginQatar]

If the degree doesn't mention 'distance' learning on it, then it might be overlooked. Most distance degrees don't mention that on the degree itself, however, it might be obvious on the transcript, I'm not sure.

I was going to get my Master's from IU in Bloomington by Distance Learning (they would know it was through correspondence since, duh, I'd still be here at work). When they told me the ministry might not accept it.... I didn't go through with it. Now that Americans are creeping their way into consultancy / expert posts at the U of Q and elsewhere, degree verification should be a little easier. I said 'should'. Who knows?

[Mark100]

I have not heard of non acceptance of distance Masters in Saudi but nothing surprises me.
There is a similar discussion about this in the UAE section.
If true it just shows you how mean spirited employers are becoming.
I would have thought that someone who is doing a Masters by distance has more value as it shows you how committed the individual is and also how resourceful they are.
I wonder by what rationale are institutions deciding not to accept a Masters by distance?
The whole issue of qualifications in this industry is a murky one and given the cost of such qualifications and the decrease in real terms of salaries in this field over the last 20 years one has to pose the question of whether there are better employment options out there.

[Jim Bigelow]

The main point from Saudi is that it is not the private sector employers (for the most part) that will cause any problems.
Even with a distance BA/MA it is not neccasary to get it certified from the Saudi Cultural Bureau. The regular office in London that approves/verifies your papesr are actually yours, is sufficent!
The problem is with the ministry of higher education and they will insist that you send your paprers to the Saudi Cultural Bureau in the country that your papers are from.
IF that's the UK it seems the offie there is pretty understanding but the problem is with the Saudi Cultural Bureau in the USA. THEY WILL NOT ACCEPT ANY PAPERS VIA DISTANCE!!!

It's madness isn't it!

[ElizabethTheGreat]

Hi forum members,

I want to ask a question related to the theme of this thread. I want to know if unaccredited American university degrees that are awarded by state licensed institutions are accpetable in the Gulf and Middle East.

I am interested in knowing if degrees awarded by Pacific Western University are acceptable qualifications for teaching. Does any one have experience with PWU?

E