Job Discussion Forums

[Tom Le Seelleur]

If anyone wants advice about the Petroleum Institute (5 years), khalifa University(present), UAE Academy (one year) or the British Council Abu Dhabi (3 years part time) then please email me and I will try to answer your questions

[PeterWilliams]

So which one did you enjoy the most, Tom, from the perspectives of:

- working environment?
- students?
- colleagues?
- institutional ethos?
- cold, hard cash?

[Tensne1]

*delete*

[Tom Le Seelleur]

[quote="PeterWilliams"]So which one did you enjoy the most, Tom, from the perspectives of:

- working environment?
- students?
- colleagues?
- institutional ethos?
- cold, hard cash?

The British Council had the most motivated and focused students as they were fee paying and had specific goals - they were also 90% working people who studied in their free time so we all shared a common background. Colleagues were supportive and fun and the manager at the time was standards focused and wanted students satisfied that they were getting quality teaching. In terms of cash it was competitive about 125 an hour or 11K+housing if on contract. The British Council operated out of a villa so often the classrooms were too small for the number of students. They have moved since. The BC is the market leader so its reputation speaks for itself. Though the customer comes first, resources were limited compared to the universities.
The UAE academy has again more focused students - all graduates mostly from UAE University who have not found work and need enhanced skills to compete in the job market. As Al Ain was a new start it took time for staff to gel and it seems now to be functioning well. Money is OK-contracts tend to start around 9K + housing so a good place for a less experience single teacher. I was not happy the schooling of my kids so we left to come to Sharjah.
The Petroleum Institute was a great place to start in the UAE as it was a start situation where all your contributions were recognized and yet it was organic so things were developing all the time. As what usually happens in organizations that get too big, the individual is heard less and bureacracy takes hold as is the case with most tertiary organizations around the world. While I was there the benefits package was second to none - good salary (15k pm), housing generous (140K) and educational allowance almost unlimited. Holidays were also good. The ethos of the PI has changed significantly in the last three or four years and I would expect foundation to be extinct in the near future as the PI High School starts producing direct entry students. Colleagues 99% of the time were a great bunch with plenty of gusto and energy despite advancing years- very experienced and supportive. I miss them a lot.
Khalifa University in Sharjah is much smaller in comparison and until now has no equal in the UAE - fantastic teachers, focused ethos, reasonable salary and benefits, motivated students with objectives to achieve and a university with an excellent reputation. The working environment is the best I have worked in since leaving the UK.

[veralynn]

So why did you leave the PI?

[veiledsentiments]

And why did you leave Khalifa? Do they hire many teachers annually?

VS

[Never Ceased To Be Amazed]

And, while were at it, why leave BAE Systems?

NCTBA

[veiledsentiments]

Come on NCTBA... this is the UAE board... don't hijack!!

VS

[Never Ceased To Be Amazed]

[Tom Le Seelleur]

Leaving each post is now history. Pi paid off my mortgage with the gratuity. Bae because I had saved enough. I am at khalifa University at present.

[Never Ceased To Be Amazed]

[007]

[veralynn]

[xray]

Veralynn you work at the PI so you know why Tom 'left' probably the same reason he 'left' the Uae Academy...nuf said...lets wish him well in his new job.

Since we never hear much from Khalifa or Etisalet Uni as it was known so can you tell us what is a 'reasonable' salary and benefits.

[veralynn]

I have no idea why he left the PI - that's why I'm interested!