Job Discussion Forums

[veiledsentiments]

The post you quote was targeted to Mr PCP... not you or UAEU teachers. Apparently Mr PCP thinks that is some sort of insult or something to point out that life in the Gulf is like a soap opera (often with bad writers). To me it is just a fact of life... rather like living in a small town.

The imminent demise of URGU is one rumor that has been circulating for years - in fact, since the 90's - and it looks like it may finally be coming true. Sad, but there we go... it isn't closing tomorrow or even next year. Time to get practical and to polish the CV. It is good that at least you've got a warning. Now teachers have to decide whether to bail ASAP or take the chance that it will take them more years than they think to wind down or that they will be able to transfer with the students. Tough decision... especially if you have kids in the schools there too.

UAEU has been a dependable employer for some years now - although when I was in the UAE in the 90s, there were lots of problems and lots of turnover. But, the fact is there are also quite a few teachers who have been at HCT and a few at ZU since I was there in the 90s. I suspect that the percentages may not be all that different.

How many TEFL teachers are employed by URGU now? If the wind down takes 2-3 years, many, if not most, of them could probably be absorbed into the other universities. (that is... if they want to...)

VS

[PC Parrot]

[bje]

For god's sake man, it was a light comment that you've purposely blown out of proportion in order to draw attention to a self-perceived sense of 'righteousness'. Dismount from the high horse, take a chill pill and move on.

[PC Parrot]

First, name calling, now ranting.

Better you pop that chill pill yourself before you blow a blood vessel.

[veiledsentiments]

bje isn't ranting, he was merely commenting on your ranting...

I hear that there are a number of teachers at UAEU who were "not-renewed" and/or fired at HCT or burned the bridges when they resigned who are now sweating.

That would explain your over-reaction to such an innocuous comment of mine...

VS

[Gnocchiman]

The world-wide economic crisis has finally found its way to the small oasis town of Al Ain. Darn it.

The only thing I have to say is whatever happens, UGRU needs to be respected for its role in this young country's history. UGRU has been a unique place in the UAE where the youth from all seven emirates have come to live together, learn together and, ultimately, build a national identity together.

It would be great if the elementary and secondary school systems in all emirates were able to educate their youth in a way that more could enter the university system directly. But, as we all know, this isn't the case quite yet. Segregation will be the name of the game. For me, that will be the saddest part of UGRU's closure.

[Never Ceased To Be Amazed]

I think that THIS is the most significant post of all...

NCTBA

[veiledsentiments]

[nowasta]

There seem to be a lot of things that were overlooked. That was only one.

p.s. Rumour has it that Zayed U is going to be next on the old chopping block with more resources being utilized for just one standarized/country-wide foundations pogram at HCT and, of course k-12 improvements.

[veiledsentiments]

That would be sad, but sensible. I was in the UAE when it started up, and we were quietly confused as to why it had suddenly appeared on the scene basically duplicating what HCT was doing... but adding a year and calling it a 'degree' instead of a 'diploma.' Logic - which I know we should avoid using - would have suggested that they just expand HCT and add a year and a few more majors.

Whether the rumor is true or not is the question that will add more stress and worry on teachers, but if consolidation of the system and resources is their goal, this would certainly make sense.

VS

[unowho]

What's with EFL Teachers and 'Rumours'? The original poster expects answers and assistance with issue question, not RUMOURS and SPECULATIONS!

[veiledsentiments]

It's a long and hallowed tradition... partially caused by the fact that the employers never bother to enlighten the teachers with the facts... leaving this as the only source.

Of course... the managements often know as little as the teachers... since the answers are somewhere in the bowels of the Ministry. That is, assuming that there are answers.

VS

[Sheikh N Bake]

[veiledsentiments]

Yes... ain't it the truth SnB...

My latest tidbit from the UAE rumor mill - heard from two sources, one in RAK and one in Al-Ain - is that HCT management is starting to hyperventilate over the fact that they not only don't have the space for the hundreds of new students said to be landing on their doorstep in September... there is no budget or hiring process begun for the dozens of new teachers required... nor do some of the smaller Emirates have the housing available. (details that I had pointed out earlier in this thread)

I can picture some little Indian number cruncher in the basement of the Ministry frantically working on a report that will enlighten upper management that their idea is not economically feasible in the next 4 months... while he worries that delivering the "facts" may get him put onto the next airplane back to Goa.

VS

[Sheikh N Bake]

Ah, well, let him start a call center in Bangalore. Or seek employment with the successors to the ill-fated GMU in RAK. He can figure out ways to garnish people's salaries for no reason, like they did with some of us.