Job Discussion Forums

Heks · Posted: Sun Jun 21, 2015 11:17 am Post subject: Update on PNU working conditions

Does anyone have an update on the working conditions at Princess Nora University in Riyadh? I've been offered a position there and would like to know if anything has changed for the better after reading the posts of the university going downhill in 2014.

nomad soul · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world

It depends on what company your offer is from.

Heks · Posted: Sun Jun 21, 2015 1:59 pm Post subject:

Hi Nomad Soul - what would us newbies do without you on this forum. And I mean that sincerely.. Wink

I was approached by Red Chair Recruiting in Ireland who made it clear that they are a recruitment firm, so that will be a direct hire, not agency.

nomad soul · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world

There's myohmy, who's a direct hire with PNU. You might PM her or wait for her to come on the forum.

Heks · Posted: Sun Jun 21, 2015 2:40 pm Post subject:

Thanks - have contacted her privately.

joleen7 · Joined: 11 Nov 2012 Posts: 46

you can contact me too if you want- I have just finished 27 months there (at PNU)

nomad soul · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world

Joleen7:

Why not post the basics here so that you don't get bombarded with PMs and constantly having to repeat yourself?

Gamajorba · Joined: 03 May 2015 Posts: 357

Heks · Posted: Fri Jun 26, 2015 10:00 am Post subject:

Ah well, and so the wheel turns - whereto, nobody knows.

Princess Nora says they don't accept my degrees - BA English, Honours in Journalism and CELTA. Degrees from one of the top universities in South Africa - University of Stellenbosch.

I just had a quiet chuckle and moved on. Such is life.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

I knew many Saudis in management who would not concede that there are "native English speakers" in South Africa.

More recently it seems that Riyadh and Pretoria have done a deal that limits recruitment of teachers from South Africa to KSA.

nomad soul · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world

Heks · Posted: Sun Jun 28, 2015 8:55 am Post subject:

Ah well, the vagaries of the system. In my complex where I live, four of the flats belong teachers/lecturers who teach in Jubail. One couple is here for their annual holiday and they are adamant that they can get me a job at their school.

Use those contacts, I say!

Will keep you posted as to what transpires.

I-forgot · Joined: 28 Jun 2015 Posts: 153 Location: Riyadh

I would have posted sooner but it took a while for my registration to come through. I hope my post isn't too late for you.

It is not the universities that decide which degrees and institutions are acceptable but rather the Ministry. However, if you are willing to consider working through an agency, you could still end up working for PNU. The degree requirements are only applied to dirrct hires. The agencies are allowed to supply anyone with a degree, passport and pulse.

Direct hire is no longer as attractive as it once was (perhaps that should be in another thread) so don't rule out an agency, especially for PNU.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

I heard that Riyadh and Pretoria had struck a deal that no more teachers would be recruited from South Africa. True ? False ? Rumour from the Mosque ?

nomad soul · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world