Job Discussion Forums

[rosalind]

Let It Be Known: I have searched these forums. I have read the threads about PMU (Prince Mohamed bin Fahd University, in Khobar), from years past. I have scrutinized the horror stories. I have seen the tales of ill-treatment, of unliveable housing, of incompetent and unaccountable management.

I Have Read Them. Yes.

Having read them ... The tales of horror date back, mostly, to about 2010. They are impressive. They are also six years out of date.

Can anyone give input on what things are like there now? Within, say, the past couple of years?

I've had a Skype interview. (I didn't know who it was for until it had been arranged; I'd responded to a blind recruiter ad.) I've had an offer, for the women's section of the Prep year. The terms look good.

And, yes... I've been doing my research. I see horror stories on this forum (and I'm not trying to understate how awful they do look). That said, I've also seen much more positive, more recent, reviews elsewhere.

Can anyone give updated feedback?

They've given me three days to think about it. I've asked for an extension: that's really too little time for me to do due diligence. But I do want to gather my info as much as possible, and I would be very grateful for any recent(-ish?) experiences.

Thank you very much.

[rosalind]

Incidentally, this is what they tell me the housing is like:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/128559232@N04/26902589326/in/datetaken/

The recruiter tells me:
"PMU provides single women, men and other faculty members with fully furnished accommodation where there is no segregation of housing. However you will have your own single independent unshared apartment. They also have a gym and swimming pool not only on compound but also on the campus. ...

"​In short having worked in the region and working in the Middle Eastern region for close to 8 years now, I can only assure you that PMU is one of our prestigious clients who tend to be flexible in terms of bringing on board candidates but providing them with utmost care. Also given the fact that they provide you with bus transportation from the compound to the campus and back, SAR 600 is still remitted to your account with the basic salary for your personnel use. You will be also taken to shopping trips with other faculty twice- three times a week to various malls supermarkets. You are also able to socialize with your peers and faculty from other departments on the compound as there is a recreation hall and cafeteria on compound other than the gym and pool. Men,women and children all are present there without segregation which gives it a more normal atmosphere in Saudi Arabia."

The offer _looks_ really good. It's a two-year contract, at 14,000 a month, with housing provided, busing to campus provided, a transportation allowance of 600 SAR/month, 60 days paid holiday, and an annual round-trip flight home. Looks pretty good! Right?

Honestly, I'd probably accept right away... _except_ for what I've read here. And what I've read here makes my stomach sink. Can I actually rely on any of this? Or is this all smoke and mirrors, and these people are completely _un_reliable?

I really don't know what to do.

[currentaffairs]

+ University gig
+ Compound sounds good
+ No sharing

- Salary slightly low

[nomad soul]

[veiledsentiments]