Job Discussion Forums

Umm 'Abdil-Wahhaab · Joined: 23 Jun 2009 Posts: 54

I was wondering if anyone knew if these two universities have PYPs. It seems Alfaisal does, but is not hiring. I didnt see any PYP for Arab Open.

For colleges/universities in Riyadh, besides PSU, KSU, Imam U, DAU, KSAU-HS, Al-Yamamah, and IPA- is there any other place I may not have heard of that I may want to look into?

Thanks

Cleopatra · Posted: Tue Mar 23, 2010 1:54 pm Post subject:

freesoul · Posted: Fri Mar 26, 2010 12:49 am Post subject:

It is more than 'it'. In KSa, there are about more than 30 public and private unis.

http://www.mohe.gov.sa/en/studyinside/Government-Universities/Pages/default.aspx

http://www.mohe.gov.sa/en/studyinside/privateedu/Pages/listphe.aspx

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Not all universities in KSA have a Prep Year Programme because not all teach through the medium of English.

I think Her Nilotic Majesty was right,

Cleopatra · Posted: Fri Mar 26, 2010 6:33 am Post subject:

freesoul · Posted: Fri Mar 26, 2010 9:37 pm Post subject:

Sorry guys! I was, perhaps, trying to show you that you could have a broader perspective with loads of choices outside Riyadh.

Pikgitina · Joined: 09 Jan 2006 Posts: 420 Location: KSA

The Arab Open University does have a PYP, or at least it used to have one. But if the place is at all how it used to be, I'd say STAY FAR AWAY!!!

Umm 'Abdil-Wahhaab · Joined: 23 Jun 2009 Posts: 54

Can you give more info? Every time I try to search for alfaisal and arab open on Dave's it doesn't work. Maybe the server is down when I'm searching.

Pikgitina · Joined: 09 Jan 2006 Posts: 420 Location: KSA

The Saudi Academy of Language and Translation (SALT) in Riyadh used to be responsible for providing teachers to the AOU. At the time, SALT was strapped for cash and teachers had to accept flats and furniture that were considerably less that salubrious. Rolling Eyes

The flats were of a decent size, but were filthy and often had A/C issues. Furniture was spartan.

When the AOU eventually paid SALT, some more furniture and curtains arrived (about 6 months into 1-year teaching contracts), but many teachers had already made up their minds not to renew.

At the time (about 7 years ago), the AOU was located in the Al Falah district in Riyadh - a stone's throw from the Imam University, which means it's way out of town. Al Falah district was nothing more than a building site, and I won't be surprised if it still looks like that. Teachers' housing was in the building right next to the AOU. The AOU was using a flat block as their premises. Rolling Eyes

Management was megalomaniacal, the curriculum simply consisted of books which had to be completed, native speakers taught listening and speaking (for obvious reasons Rolling Eyes

) and the Arab teachers taught reading and writing.

As anybody with a pulse and some spare cash could enroll (as it is an open university), you may just be able to imagine the level of the students as well the prevailing attitude. Some who failed after a semester of absence would demand a certificate because they had paid for 'it'. Yes, that actually happened. Some students were keen, of course, often the ones from the Levant and Egypt.

I've never regretted it. I had some great colleagues who are still good friends of mine and got to see some bits of Saudi life and society that I wouldn't have otherwise. It gave me an amazing wake-up call and crash course on teaching/working in this part of the world, but please, never ever again!!! Crying or Very sad

15yearsinQ8 · Joined: 17 Oct 2006 Posts: 462 Location: kuwait

AOU in Kuwait was just as bad - pay was abyssmal and in USD which depreciated as the year went on so your salary hitting hte bank was less and less each month.
Attendence is not necessary - 2 tests and a project composed the grade - the tests were leaked out and available for sale and the project rarely was done by the student
The upside was it was only 4 hours 'teaching' every 2 weeks for a course with students supposedly coming to you for tutorials during your office hours (never happened). The 4 hour block in theory is a review / discussion of what the students did on their own.......
As Kuwait is the HQ of teh AOU, the pay is supposed to be the highest there.
There have been a few success stories for AOU which is the only alternative for higher education for working adults in the ME who never got a chance to go to college, however most students only want the useless, vlaueless degree for work promotion and prestiage.

Umm 'Abdil-Wahhaab · Joined: 23 Jun 2009 Posts: 54

Thanks for replying, good info.