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Balzac
Joined: 14 Jun 2007
Posts: 266
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 Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2016 7:50 am Post subject: TTC/GIZ now managed by Lincoln College International (UK)? |
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It now appears EGA/Interlink are no longer running the Technical Trainers College in Riyadh if the college's home page is anything to go by:
http://www.ttcollege.edu.sa/news-events-and-media/ttc-news.php?p_id=93&n_ac=details&newsid=79
Now it's under the direction of Lincoln College International, a UK based college which already has a college up and running in Saudi Arabia.
"Under the direction and authority of Colleges of Excellence, the operation of the Technical Trainers College (TTC) is now carried out by Lincoln College International."
That's very strange as by all accounts EGA/Interlink signed a deal in June with TVTC and the College of Excellence hierarchy to take over the running of the college. I wonder what happened to that?
Naturally folks want to know if they have a job to go back to.
Anyone have any info?
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Lord T
Joined: 07 Jul 2015
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| Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2016 8:36 am Post subject: |
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In fact, Lincoln College International was awarded the contract to run 3 Colleges of Excellence in Saudi Arabia in 2014.
Since then they have closed down 2 of the colleges, and have by their own admission made 'considerable' losses.
Therefore, it's quite a surprise to hear that they are now running the TTC in Riyadh. |
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Balzac
Joined: 14 Jun 2007
Posts: 266
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| Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2016 9:17 am Post subject: TTC/GIZ now managed by Lincoln College International (UK)? |
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Lord T,
Yeah it's indeed a strange and surprising one as everything seems to have been done with smoke and mirrors and a very clandestine cloak and dagger approach.
If I were working there now, or prior to this summer shall we say, I would be wondering what is going on and most importantly whether I have a job to go back to or not.
I suppose the new management's first job will be to clear out the disastrous old TTC management or any remnants still lingering there (maybe hiding under the desks with German helmets on hoping they won't be noticed! Ha ha!)
The history of KSA is littered with companies who have thrown out and/or sacked whole departments and introduced new ones overnight like an education sector equivalent of a banana republic.
No doubt time will tell if this has happened here as well.
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2016 9:31 am Post subject: Re: TTC/GIZ now managed by Lincoln College International (UK |
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| Balzac wrote: |
| If I were working there now, or prior to this summer shall we say, I would be wondering what is going on and most importantly whether I have a job to go back to or not. |
That would be a question for the employer named on your contract. If that company is no longer providing staffing at Lincoln College, then it's obvious you no longer work at that site. Contact EGA or Interlink if they're your employer and your contract hasn't expired. They may have other projects in KSA to send you to. |
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hsm
Joined: 20 Aug 2010
Posts: 65
Location: Second Floor
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| Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2016 9:33 am Post subject: |
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| Who's the Saudi partner of Lincoln College then? |
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Balzac
Joined: 14 Jun 2007
Posts: 266
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| Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2016 10:03 am Post subject: TTC/GIZ now managed by Lincoln College International (UK)? |
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| hsAm wrote: |
| Who's the Saudi partner of Lincoln College then? |
According to their literature, they would appear not to have one:
© 2016 Lincoln College International LLC, All Rights Reserved
Company Registration: 1010428922
Registered Office: 10, Al Aflaj, 16827, Saudi Arabia
Since they are licensed to operate under the College of Excellence program, one must assume that entity is their only partner in KSA.
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desertfox
Joined: 14 Jun 2015
Posts: 120
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| Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2016 12:35 pm Post subject: |
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I think it is worth noting, that Lincoln International Colleges have only been given a one year contract by the CoE.
That doesn't bode well for the teachers or the students, or indeed the worthy support staff. |
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Balzac
Joined: 14 Jun 2007
Posts: 266
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| Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2016 3:30 pm Post subject: TTC |
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| desertfox wrote: |
I think it is worth noting, that Lincoln International Colleges have only been given a one year contract by the CoE.
That doesn't bode well for the teachers or the students, or indeed the worthy support staff. |
Interesting desertfox,
Do you happen to know if the college will revert back to being called TTC as opposed to the new Germanic name given last year?
I'd be interested to know what has become of the middle managers as well, the HoDs who were, by all accounts not the most able and/or motivated bunch of leaders.
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plumpy nut
Joined: 12 Mar 2011
Posts: 1652
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| Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2016 4:16 pm Post subject: |
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| How could any Western educational institution make the mistake of getting involved in Saudi universities and schools? It's a mind boggling act of stupidity. |
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desertfox
Joined: 14 Jun 2015
Posts: 120
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| Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2016 4:37 pm Post subject: |
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Balzac - It seems to be the case that with the departure of Giz, the proposed "Germanic" change of name was effectively still born. Moreover, the college's website still bears the name TTC.
As far as the former middle management and HOD's are concerned, one can only imagine what they are now doing. Probably wandering the earth like lost souls. |
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Balzac
Joined: 14 Jun 2007
Posts: 266
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| Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2016 4:49 pm Post subject: TTC |
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| plumpy nut wrote: |
| How could any Western educational institution make the mistake of getting involved in Saudi universities and schools? It's a mind boggling act of stupidity. |
plumpy nut,
one word: $$$$$$$
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Lord T
Joined: 07 Jul 2015
Posts: 285
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| Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2016 5:48 pm Post subject: |
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Yes Balzac, it's certainly all about the money, but it would seem that the Colleges of Excellence are not yet, at least, the goldmines the foreign companies were hoping they would be.
I believe Lincoln is just one of several providers, Algonquian being another notable one, that are causing financial concern back in their home countries.
The accountants are getting very nervous; their concerns are in the public domain. |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2016 5:59 pm Post subject: |
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| Lord T wrote: |
Yes Balzac, it's certainly all about the money, but it would seem that the Colleges of Excellence are not yet, at least, the goldmines the foreign companies were hoping they would be.
I believe Lincoln is just one of several providers, Algonquian being another notable one, that are causing financial concern back in their home countries.
The accountants are getting very nervous; their concerns are in the public domain. |
Again, the global economy has been slowing down --- wage growth generally has been declining the world over, including back home. The oil-rich Gulf is no exception. |
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Balzac
Joined: 14 Jun 2007
Posts: 266
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| Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2016 4:14 am Post subject: |
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| nomad soul wrote: |
| Lord T wrote: |
Yes Balzac, it's certainly all about the money, but it would seem that the Colleges of Excellence are not yet, at least, the goldmines the foreign companies were hoping they would be.
I believe Lincoln is just one of several providers, Algonquian being another notable one, that are causing financial concern back in their home countries.
The accountants are getting very nervous; their concerns are in the public domain. |
Again, the global economy has been slowing down --- wage growth generally has been declining the world over, including back home. The oil-rich Gulf is no exception. |
I think many of the foreign providers who took over CoEs in KSA are regretting it as some have been removed by the CoE hierarchy themselves for mismanagement while others, and there are many, that simply couldn't make the numbers add up and withdrew voluntarily as they were leaking money as Lord T suggested.
These providers are paid based on about 4 main factors like how many students are enrolled, attendance, quality of the academic output etc. etc. There are a lot of articles showing how desperate many of these providers are, again, as Lord T alluded to. Here are three:
http://feweek.co.uk/2016/03/07/college-closures-and-debts-in-saudi-arabia-just-how-bad-is-it/
http://www.educationinvestor.co.uk/ShowArticle.aspx?ID=5082&AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1
http://feweek.co.uk/2015/12/11/providers-hit-back-at-saudi-claims/
My view is that this has less to do with a slowing down of the global economy or lower oil price and more to do with the terms and conditions of these CoE contracts which in many cases were highly restrictive. That said, had the oil price been higher, the Saudis might have been more likely to step in and offer financial solutions and/or incentives for these providers to stay on board but that option is now off the table.
Long gone are the days when the likes of TVTC were able to provide college infrastructure and unlimited supplies of money for outside educators.
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Lord T
Joined: 07 Jul 2015
Posts: 285
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| Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2016 7:59 am Post subject: |
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Thanks for the links to the articles Balzac, the most recent of which is dated August 10th.
It's clear that there are problems that both the British providers and the Saudis would rather not talk about.
New teachers should take note and resist the temptation to take out loans on the strength of their anticipated earnings. |
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