Job Discussion Forums

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2009 9:19 am Post subject:

What a contradiction of terms, eh? "Civil" "War"!!!

NCTBA

Tensne1 · Joined: 03 Dec 2008 Posts: 19

I've always found "civil war" to be an oxymoron as well.

It's as I though I'd read some time ago -- the university hires only Canadians. Too bad... Though I'm discovering that I'm not qualified to teach in the Middle East -- at least any place I'd want to teach -- with my credentials. *sigh*

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

That's the catch... 'the places that I'd want to teach.' But... we're working on that one eh? Laughing

VS

Lonesome Dove · Joined: 01 Nov 2008 Posts: 24

Speak of the devil...

Congratulations to CNAQ on getting itself mentioned in the Canadian press once again:

http://www.thetelegram.com/index.cfm?sid=212868&sc=88

Only for Canadians?

Pity...

AlBundy · Joined: 24 Oct 2009 Posts: 10

So, back to the original post in this thread back in January: any changes in how CNA-Q is run since the previous posts circa 2005?
Have thngs improved now in 2009? How about other faculties at CNA-Q? Are they all run the same as the EF? department?
Thanks.

Lonesome Dove · Joined: 01 Nov 2008 Posts: 24

Hi, AB:

There is no breakdown by department, but the college last did an annual employee survey back in May or June. It showed the same problems that have dogged CNA-Q all along: only 24% of employees considered the place well-managed, only 15% thought policies were consistently applied (i.e., presumably, favoritism, cronyism). Only 37% considered morale positive at the college. And the numbers overall seem to be on the decline from the year previous. On the plus side, employees were happy with the compensation package, the library is improving, and 55% would still recommend CNA-Q as a place to work.

There has as yet been no response from the administration to this latest survey.

Meantime, the college has apparently not yet signed an extention of the current contract with Qatar�supposed to happen last February--and there are rumours they will not be renewed.

There is indeed a sense of stall.

tmac-100 · Joined: 23 Nov 2006 Posts: 137

SecretAgent69 · Joined: 02 Dec 2008 Posts: 31

For those of you interested in working at CNA-Q dont despair. What negative posters are not telling you is that there is a just as strong and a likely more credible rumour that Qatar will be signing another contract with CNA-Q for 15 years more which is five years more than the original 10 year contract.

Nevertheless, there is what does seems to be a situation of limbo at the moment in terms of the contract. However, the initial 10 year contract does not expire for another 2 and a half years, so perhaps the Qataris dont see it as a pressing issue yet, are pressuring to negotiate more favorable terms for themselves, etc etc.

CNA-Q is no worse than any other place I have worked abroad. The problems there are typical. What is not typical is the whiny self-entitled attitude of a lot of the Canadians working there. Many of whom have never worked or lived outside of their own community never mind their own country. A lot of PMS'ers. They bitch and complain, yet continue to extend their contracts again and again.

AlBundy · Joined: 24 Oct 2009 Posts: 10

millie18 · Joined: 23 Oct 2007 Posts: 185

There are some rumors swirling around Doha that the contract won't be signed by the Qataris - and that's just what they are - rumors. The GCC practically eats them up.

Another popular one is that the local alcohol outlet will be shut down - hasn't happened but they are closing the bars at hotels with less than 5* - you either have to have membership or show your Qatari ID card to get into a bar (the # is recorded and presumably sent to CID).

One fact, the last president at CNAQ Dr H - did not get renewed/renew his contract. The VP of Academics got the job in the interim while a search was conducted. No one was found although 3 candidates were brought in to see the campus and meet with people. Don't know if none were found suitable or if they decided that CNA/Doha wasn't for them. The VP continues in the interim until the new search starts (which was recently I understand).

Another rumor is that the VP will be leaving in the New Year - again, a rumor.

But it must be unsettling for those on the ground following what's going on that the top guy left/was pushed last spring and the next in line is rumored to be leaving, the contract has yet to be signed (even though the "negotiating" team did no negotiations) after 6+ months.

Anyone who has lived in the GCC for any appreciable amount of time knows that job security is tenuous at best - but it doesn't look good if the top tier people seem to be leaving?

helenl · Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Posts: 1202

Have heard as well that the HR department hasn't improved any since the last "manager" (and most of my contacts there use the term very loosely, as in diareha) left in the spring.