Job Discussion Forums

[only1life]

MOD EDIT

This forum is moving in a more personal direction. If someone writes something that is inaccurate then it should stand corrected. If someone has some inside knowledge that clarifies a particular accusation then share it with us. It's not enough to simply say what so-and-so said is not true. If a posting is inaccurate then enlighten us with some specifics.

It sounds like ADU has some management woes. It goes without saying that if someone doesn't like their job then it is advisable to move on asap. Equally, it is ill advised, in the long term, to smile and wave when there are serious issues at hand; issues that effect job morale and job security. In my experience over many years and in many countries as a teacher and manager, staff are often willing to pander to the whims of leaders who do undermine morale and job security... if they think they can get something out of doing so. In the end a cabal of (sometimes well meaning but) delusional managers and staff members rule the roost with the rest expected to suffer in silence. Surely when someone is not happy with their situation, it is better to listen carefully to what they're saying in a non-judgmental way and then talk about some issues that they had perhaps overlooked.

There is nothing I hate more than apologists or butt kissers who ensure a work environment becomes unworkable or stays crappy for us mere mortals. Equally, constantly grumbling about something that cannot be changed is pointless. I'm currently working in an environment that consists of a delusional management with a handful of butt kissers helping them to maintain their delusions. Mind you, the managers are well meaning and honest with money (albeit stingy). There's no question that they are decent people. However, what they are doing is fanciful and totally off base. Sorry I can�t elaborate. This is the reason why things remain unpleasant for so many... because the apologists and butt kissers help them to maintain their delusions. I know, from numerous private discussions that the majority of teachers working here know that what is going on is off base. NOW, that doesn't mean to say that we can't still contribute something worthwhile to our situation. We shouldn�t turn a blind eye to the negatives but shouldn�t allow the negatives to deny us some personal and professional satisfaction either.

The managers have bought into the nonsense sold to them by the butt kissers (who think they can squeeze something out of the deal), so they're not the slightest bit interested in anything those outside the 'inner circle' have to say. (I seriously believe that by next year we'll all be out of a job!) They have sought to chastise me, when in fact I'm doing their job for them in some cases by staying in touch with and consoling several teachers who want to leave or are falling into bouts of horrible depression. My situation is not so bad and I've already been though the pressures and hassles I'm experiencing here before anyway. So, I'm not too fazed by what's going on. However, for those who are having a rough time, I don't say to them, "You knew where you were going before you came here." or " If you don't like it, leave!" If participants were able to voice their concerns without the fear of being labeled a moaner or a whiner then I think we would see a very different kind of outcome than what we have at present.

You know, the other thing I've seen consistently over the years is that when someone else is stuck in a crappy situation... all the others are saying, "Thank God it's not me." "Thank God I've got a decent salary." "Gee, I'm glad the management aren't hassling me!" BUT as soon as those guilty of saying nothing about a crappy situation are PERSONALLY affected by it... you can be guaranteed it'll be only a matter of time before your phone starts ringing. There has to be a way of voicing our concerns and experience whatever they are but at the same time getting on with the job.

In conclusion, let's be probing and challenging... needling each other for as much information as we can get. I'm all for stirring the pot so long as we can get to see both sides of the coin. Let's not kill off the discussions by calling someone a malcontent, a moaner or a groaner. BUT for those who do have a gripe... make your comments factually insightful. Hopefully there are others in this forum who do have firsthand experience that can be shared. I have a very bad impression of ADU. However, if there is light at the end of the tunnel, it would be interesting to know what exactly is happening to turn things around. Maybe the university does have a fair game plan. Nonetheless, I think it does need some major PR work. Let�s be aggressive challenging and probing� BUT let�s also be well considered in our comments and try not to take slices off each other personally because we don�t like what we see.

[Justice_Seeker]

MOD EDIT

There has been a lot of insightful comments made about ADU from people on this forum. One that strikes me as significant (from adu.advocate I believe?) is that if you are not happy and you are competent in your field, you should leave ADU. This is absolutely true! I thank ADU every day, for providing me the opportunity to witness how Emirates businesses routinely mal-treat their workers. I am competent in what I do, so I have had no problems in securing employment related to my profession.

The recent labor unrest in Dubai has made headlines in the West. What appears to be poorly understood by ADU applicants, is that that the money behind the institution comes from a construction company, called �Bin Harmal and Sons�. Their only goal is to secure lucrative government contacts to build new facilities, while divorcing themselves from any responsibility to provide quality education. It�s the �Vegetable Souq� phenomenon. If we can get the funds to build something, then its viability does not matter because the �good ol� government� will find a use. (AKA Vegetable Souq).

There are mounds of people in the UAE that have lucked out and secured positions beyond their competence. If you are in this group, then you can hardly complain. The problem is that over time, this group of �professionals� believe that they can cut it in Western institutions. When they return to their countries, they are treated as the jokes that they are. Many return to the ME to try to recap past glories and fail miserably.

If you can�t stand ADU just leave. Look at the history of the place: it�s typical of construction firms in the UAE. Remember to keep up the pressure to expose the scam. At the end of the day it�s the students who suffer.

[only1life]

Mmmmm, yes... but I wonder to what extent this construction company is influencing policy and management. I wonder if management lack managerial experience related to education? I think there are often shady deals done between officials and business that result in inappropriate appointments in positions of leadership. One can see that in some of the privately owned schools in Japan where dad and the sons run an incestuous little operation or colleges in China where an old communist part crony is appointed to a position they simply are unable to do.

Apparently Cranfield University in Britain had arranged with the UAE Ministry of Education, a few years ago, to start a facility there. They had hired staff and were ready to begin when suddenly the Ministry (or somebody in an influencial position) had a change of heart... creating an awful mess for a lot of people. One wonders how it could have happened. But I guess what we are dealing with is a system that often transgresses our sense of what is right and proper. Often westerners who are hired as managers do things that reflect the whims and fancies of local officials. In fact they incongruously behave like local officials at times. And therein lies a double edged sword for those in desperate need to deal with someone who talks sense. Sometimes there's simply nowhere to turn. Management makes no sense, colleagues bury their heads and say nothing... that's when you have to say... if there aren't suitable compensations for what I'm putting up with, I have to move on. I have done that in the past but I sure as hell make my thoughts known before I go!