Job Discussion Forums

hawlermonkey · Joined: 29 Mar 2007 Posts: 34

Many people are putting very derrogatory remarks about the University of Kurdistan Hawler on this forum. It must be understood that as a newly founded institution in a post-conflict setting, it is not going to be a walk in the park. Also, a disproportionate number of unbalanced characters seem to be attracted to this place, some with an apparent deathwish. These people leave after a few months, rant on various forums and blame the University for their pre-existing mental problems.

Its not easy recruiting normal people to come to a place which is still classed as part of Iraq. If you are a positive, mentally strong person I would consider applying.

The facilities are great, everything is brand new. I've got my own office, comfy chair, flat-screen monitor and fast internet (skype/ MSN/ yAHOO works well so I have spoken more with my family and friends more than ever before).

The workload is the lightest I've ever had and they seem to declare public holidays all the time. You get 8 weeks paid holiday in the summer.

The only problem is what to do with your spare time alcohol and Cuban cigars are dangerously cheap- Glenfiddich single Malt - $12 in Ainkawa the Christian suburb of Erbil. You can go to the edge in the US compound - there are some nice people working for NGOs there and some big security specialists and truckers etc great if you are a middle aged woman looking for a bit of rough but it isn't that exciting and will be dull after a while. You could earn extra money or write a book... There are places to go such as Suli, Dohuk, Lailash, Lake Dokhan, Bekhal...

Food is pretty crap unless you like Kebabs and Hommous every day - there is a German beer restaurant (sauerkraut, wurst, schnitzels...expensive), Indian and pizza places but nothing spectacular - theres a great new French restaurant in Shaklawa but thats an hours drive up to the mountains - will be great in Summer. You get a kitchen so if you can cook its ok.

The new four bedroom (2 are just bare empty unfurnished rooms) apartments each teacher is getting soon look nice although women can only swim in the pool at certain times apparently (maybe this will be changed). Its the Middle East so its much better to be a man here.

The English department is getting it together now after the first DOS couldn't cope and there was an acting Dos for a month or two. By next year it will be better organized.

The only issue is money USD30000-38000P.A. I'd like more money considering the hardship and potential dangers (I walk around all the time - appears very safe and there haven't been any incidents for a long time- but as they say 'you are safe, until you are dead') but then I always think that teachers should be paid more. University Lecturers/Professors get paid well, some extremely well, but most have published books on the region and have Phds. In most countries I have worked ESL teachers are at the bottom of the ladder in academic status. Some forum members and teachers at UKH seem bitter about this. The answer to this is 'if you can't beat them, join them'.

Flights in and out are very expensive cheapest US$500 RTN to Dubai. Crossing the border to Turkey is a bit of a hassle.

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

Thanks for the interesting post which seems very balanced. Can you get the internet in your flats or is it only at work? I do agree that the salary is low when you consider what those security and trucker types are being paid.

VS

hawlermonkey · Joined: 29 Mar 2007 Posts: 34

The wifi internet at New City motel apartments, the current temporary accomodation for faculty members of University of Kurdistan, doesn't work very well and in some apartments there's no signal at all. The offices and fast internet at the Uni are open 24hrs although there are no taxis very late at night and walking very late may be intimidating for some.

The University has the best internet connection in Iraq. I don't know how the internet will be at Naz city apartments where we are moving to, but as a prestige development backed by the governments heavy hitters, I expect everything will work much better than everywhere else. After August the University will be responsible for repairs on the new apartments etc so they are taking a lot longer to check the elevators, plumbing, electrics etc while the construction company is still liable for repairs. Thats why the teachers haven't moved into these luxury apartments yet.

Some teachers prefer where they are now because its conveniently located you can walk to the University, bazaar, Citadel and New City Supermarket. Naz city will be great when Dream city and its gigantic shopping Mall is finished but for the next 5 or 6 years the whole area around Naz city is going to be a big construction site. Also Naz City is less than 5 minutes from the airport, great if you need to get out in a hurry Smile

dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397

There's a new university opening up soon(ish). It's being opened by the founder of Bilkent university in Ankara.
http://www.turkishdailynews.com.tr/article.php?enewsid=70656

If you get your application in now, you might be ready for the proposed 2010 opening.

007 · Posted: Mon Apr 16, 2007 1:15 pm Post subject:

dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397

mistral · Joined: 17 Feb 2007 Posts: 93 Location: Herat Afghanistan

I stand by my comments!

Avoid it! I was there for a couple of weeks. Excellent facilities but totally disorganised. They'd no idea how to run a university. The teachers couldn't even get the courses off the ground. More like a second rate language school. Kurdistan deserves better than that.

mouse5 · Joined: 11 Jan 2006 Posts: 142

What's the latest on this place? I'd thought of applying (again!). They seem to be very selective. Maybe you have to be a member of the party. What qualifications do you need to teach there? The accommodation sounds great. Anybody know how safe the area is now?

stoth1972 · Posted: Fri May 04, 2007 8:06 pm Post subject:

The area sounds quite safe-northern Iraq. I've heard mistral and others still critical of the job. Honestly, the money ain't enough to tempt me to go to a war-torn country.

dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397

dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397

^however.
http://www.turkishdailynews.com.tr/article.php?enewsid=72821

stoth1972 · Posted: Fri May 11, 2007 6:56 am Post subject:

I've recently heard of a bomb going off just 1 km outside the university. Perhaps this area is not as safe as we thought?

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

If anyone recalls way back when we first started having discussion of this place, I suggested that things were a bit unpredictable. Although it isn't in the midst of the insurgency in Iraq, there is political infighting to be aware of, there is Turkey hyperventilating on the other side of the border about its own Kurds' activities, and there are non-Kurds living in the area who may be feeling threatened politically.

All three could simmer below the surface for the foreseeable future or blow up at any time. Anyone who chooses to go there should educate themselves of the history of the area - old and modern - and decide if they can deal with the possibilities.

VS

sassifrass · Joined: 19 Apr 2007 Posts: 5 Location: U.S.

i'm scheduled to arrive in august for a teaching post. would love to--in the midst of all my other research and monitoring that will conclude whether or not i feel it is safe to go--continue to hear from people that are there. you're comments about your experiences there are very helpful and i thank you.

mistral · Joined: 17 Feb 2007 Posts: 93 Location: Herat Afghanistan

Just returned from a week in Sulymania. Nice town but expensive compared with Erbil. The students there tell me that over half of the staff recruited by the university in Erbil have left. And they were the ones the students really liked! They've been left with a bunch of grade school teachers. Some students want to leave but say they've nowhere else to go.