Job Discussion Forums

[tuberculosis]

I recieved this response in my inbox from PSU, Riyadh. I think you may find it interesting, as well as informative. What ever you do, don't miss the last line:

Do I know you?

You say you had a phone interview with me, if you tell me your name I can surely remember and I hope I can understand your statement.

I am sorry to read what you wrote and I understand that what you think of me is a matter of opinion and there is litlte I can do about this.

On the other hand, I can help you get your facts right about the Oxford agreement.

First of all, nobody bought anything from Oxford and there is absolutely no favouritism involved in the MOU.

It was Oxford who asked for financial help in the extension of the Ashmolean Museum. They first approached the Saudi Embassy in London.

Prince Sultan, Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince, then agreed to make a donation to the Museum. The donation represents only a small fraction of the actual financial needs of the Museum and Prince Sultan is not the only benefactor nor the biggest one.

In the subsequent agreement between the Prince and the Museum, it was agreed that the University of Oxford would cooperate with Saudi Arabia by allowing the Kingdom to recruit 15 Saudi students from all over the country (and not just PSU) including some already studying at undergraduate level in the UK (some of them currently at Oxford).
These students would be selected over a period of 10 years, amongst the top graduates.

The Memorandum of Understanding between PSU and Oxford is another matter altogether and although is fulfilling the terms of the "Ashmolean Agreement" had to be negotiated separetely.

The MOU only makes provision for cooperation in some academic fields. PSU students who want to register at Oxford under the terms of this MOU have to abide by Oxford admission rules and regulations. I honestly don't quite understand all the fuss about this agreement.How can Oxford be downgraded if the students satisfy all academic criteriium.
Unless they think that selling MA enhances their credibility more than letting deserving foreign students in.

Oxford has similar agreements with China in order to enroll more Chinese students and nobody thought it was a scandal, although the income expected from these students far exceeds what can be expected from Saudi students.

PSU has been caught in internal Oxford battles over the reforms the Vice-Chancelor, John Hood, wants to push forward.

I think racism helped fuel the feelings which were expressed here and there by badly informed people who were only too happy to jump to convenient conclusions.

As far as your judgement is concerned regarding my own person I cannot unfortunately give you any objective piece of information, likely to make you change your mind and I will have to agree with you, I am a moron.

Best regards.

*name has been deleted*

[Queen of Sheba]