Job Discussion Forums

letitslidedude · Joined: 07 Mar 2007 Posts: 81 Location: KOREA

TAIBAH UNIVERSITY!

Anyone there who can shed the light about this outfit?

1) Working conditions/ Salary/ Perks/ and more

2) Madina, Saudi? Is it a very conservative city? Ok to live there???

Thanks in advance!

007 · Posted: Mon Mar 26, 2007 11:25 am Post subject: Re: TAIBAH UNIVERSITY

letitslidedude · Joined: 07 Mar 2007 Posts: 81 Location: KOREA

Madinah Munawarrah is the city which holds the second holy Mosque in SA, and Non-Muslims are not allowed to enter the city.
So, I guess for Non-Muslims working with Taibah university will find it very difficult to go to the city centre for shopping, or for any other reasons.

Still, can you have a drink there? I am not into shopping at all?

BTW, Taibah university is under Saudi management, from the VC to the HOds. (Arab manegement, letitslidedude, I guess you did remeber my post about Arab management in the Gulf (UAE forum), I guess there are good as well bad management!).

I heard during the conference that the Director of the ELC was an Americam, true or not???? Dunno?

(MOD edit)

What else? Just FYI, I am not interested in Saudi in general and in Taiba in particular. The reason I posted is for reserach reason and not for employment hunt purpose.

Keep posting 007, life is beautiful@

007 · Posted: Mon Mar 26, 2007 12:51 pm Post subject: Re: TAIBAH UNIVERSITY

Atassi · Joined: 13 Sep 2004 Posts: 128 Location: 평택

letitslidedude · Joined: 07 Mar 2007 Posts: 81 Location: KOREA

Atassi,

Can you please tell us more about this university? Salary (MA holders)/ housing/ working environment/ management: dictators or facilitators?/ and more.

Thanks in advance!

Atassi · Joined: 13 Sep 2004 Posts: 128 Location: 평택

Since I am not with the university I'd prefer not to misrepresent them in any way. I can say that they are hiring instructors, assistant professors, and associate professors, and as far as I know they appreciate whatever you specialize in. The salary is maybe not the highest you can find, but again that information would be most accurate from the source. They calculate experience in years after your MA. Hope the info helps.

letitslidedude · Joined: 07 Mar 2007 Posts: 81 Location: KOREA

Thanks ATASI

007 · Posted: Tue Mar 27, 2007 9:31 am Post subject:

In the Arabic culture when two friends meet, one of them will invite the other for a drink, or asks him for a drink. And in the Arab culture, a drink by default means anything except alcohol. So, in Madinah you will find all kinds of drink except alcohol, even you will find Beers without alcohol in any shop in SA.
So, be carefull with 'culture miss-understanding! Laughing

battleshipb_b · Joined: 14 Dec 2006 Posts: 189

It's not the best place to work in Saudi. I visited some friends there once
(had my beard then). OK for some I suppose, but there are better places to work in the Kingdom. I've been really happy here for almost 10 years. Had a great time at U of Q 20 years ago but salary was way too low. Had a good time at UGRU, too but then the missus left. My fault.
I really like working in the Kingdom, good job, nice students but my girlfirend hates it so we have to commute. Then I get to quench my thirst.

Turando · Joined: 18 Apr 2005 Posts: 31

Hi,

I've been living in Medina for about 3 years now so I can probably give some insight on the living conditions.

About Taibah I haven't really heard anything bad about it. Seems to be a typical university job. It is the only decent English teaching job in Medina though.

How you live will depend on whether you are a Muslim or not. If you are not a Muslim then you cannot enter the Haram area. I wouldn't advise a non-Muslim to come here because nearly everything is inside the Haram area. That means all supermarkets, shopping centers, restaurants etc. So you'll basically be cut off completely from everything. Taibah Uni is located just outside the Haram area so that is why they can employ non-Muslim teachers.

If you are a Muslim then it wouldn't matter. Medina is a small city and it is very conservative. It is nothing like Jeddah. If you are a religious Muslim then you'll be fine but if you aren't then you will probably be hating it. 95% of women cover their faces here except some maids or the people visiting from outside for Hajj or Umrah (and they don't go out of the area surrounding the Prophet's Mosque so it isn't really an issue).

Medina is small and doesn't have much if you want a more 'Western' type of city etc. Personally I am very happy here but I know it is not for everyone.

Hope that helps. If you have specific questions I can probably help answer them.

007 · Posted: Mon Apr 02, 2007 6:14 pm Post subject:

Atassi · Joined: 13 Sep 2004 Posts: 128 Location: 평택

desert date · Joined: 19 Jul 2006 Posts: 67 Location: Australia

Hi Turando

I'm a Muslim Arab born and bred in Australia. I practise my faith but have a secular world view. In other words, I don't really care what you do with your life and how you choose to live it unless you're a close relative of mine or someone I really care about. I'm a homebody and am quite contented lounging around at home surrounded by my books and DVDs. Madinah sounds just about right for me. I do however like to eat out and go window shopping. Are there any good cafes and restaurants in Madinah? I've been to Jiddah and Makkah for the Umrah and have distant relatives in both these cities but I've never been to Madinah (the Umrah package gave me a choice between Madinah and Qahirah and I chose the latter!). I did quite like Jiddah - the markets, the trendy stores and the endless supply of all-halal restaurants.

What is the pay like at Taibah University and can someone with a degree in English & linguistics, certified teacher status and five years' experience get a foot in the door? And are foreign Muslims expected to participate in the 'religious life' of the university (for want of a better way of saying it), if any?

dd

007 · Posted: Thu Apr 05, 2007 7:08 pm Post subject: