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Jakson
Joined: 05 Jan 2006
Posts: 3
Location: ME
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 Posted: Tue Feb 21, 2006 8:34 am Post subject: Qatar Uni latest info needed |
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Last august I was accepted at QU but the offer came too late-I was just about to start another year at my post here in Saudi. I have recently been in touch with QU again letting them know that this time, given plenty of notice, I'd be happy to start there in September.
Thing is, they're asking for another interview (I was intervied in Saudi by one of their people last year), and I'm wondering why. And I have to get there under my own steam for said second interview.
Anybody out there had a similar experience? Are they saying no we're not really interested or is it simply a matter of policy? |
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veiledsentiments
Joined: 20 Feb 2003
Posts: 17644
Location: USA
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| Posted: Tue Feb 21, 2006 3:22 pm Post subject: |
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I'd say that it is probably a matter of their 'rules.' You're in Saudi, so you should know how that all can go. 
Or, since you turned them down last year, perhaps this gives them some proof that you are actually interested and won't back out on them again.
I'd say that if you are seriously interested, go for the interview. It's not that far.
VS |
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QatarChic
Joined: 06 May 2005
Posts: 445
Location: Qatar
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| Posted: Tue Feb 21, 2006 3:58 pm Post subject: |
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| I agree with VS- Its a shame though that they are not willing tp pay for half of your expenses- or are they? Then again, if you turned them down once before then, that's what's expected.....the distance is very short and you could find some cheap hotels. Good luck |
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Bindair Dundat
Joined: 04 Feb 2003
Posts: 1123
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| Posted: Wed Feb 22, 2006 6:30 am Post subject: Re: Qatar Uni latest info needed |
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| Jakson wrote: |
| Anybody out there had a similar experience? Are they saying no we're not really interested or is it simply a matter of policy? |
I was offered a position at QU but didn't take it because their post-offer behavior was so bizarre. I think the guy who runs the show there is more interested on some days than on others in doing his job.
If you want the job, go to the interview. |
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lionbrian
Joined: 26 Apr 2003
Posts: 136
Location: Micronesia
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| Posted: Wed Feb 22, 2006 7:49 am Post subject: QATAR UNI OR CUANTANAMO DETENTION CENTER? |
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Hey,
([[u]b]From an insider: I am still teaching here and I don't want to get into trouble until June, therefore PM me should you need more info & identify yourself)[/b]
I have been waiting until someone provocates the discussion  :[/u]
Dude! I've only one advice for anyone who wants to apply to this military outfit: Stay away! For those NATIVE SPEAKERS (Especially North Americans), WITH A MASTER'S DEGREE OR ABOVE PLUS TEACHING EXPERIENCE, you've been warned!
On the other hand, it is a paradise for non-native speakers especially for those coming for East European, African, Gulf & Arab countries who usually hold postgraduate degrees from these countries and NON-WESTERN degrees.
Good luck! |
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Gordon
Joined: 28 Jan 2003
Posts: 5309
Location: Japan
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| Posted: Wed Feb 22, 2006 8:21 am Post subject: |
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Lionbrian,
I thought it wasn't such a bad place from your previous comments. That is too bad that things have gone downhill for you. |
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Jakson
Joined: 05 Jan 2006
Posts: 3
Location: ME
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| Posted: Fri Feb 24, 2006 9:55 am Post subject: Qatar Uni latest info needed |
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Thanks for all those replies:
Wrote to QU about as to why the need for second interview. QU wrote back saying now no need for that, your appplication based on your first interview will be considered along with all other applicants and you'll be given a decision by the end of March. |
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QatarChic
Joined: 06 May 2005
Posts: 445
Location: Qatar
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| Posted: Fri Feb 24, 2006 4:28 pm Post subject: |
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Good news that you won't have another interview Jakson- see what happens come March. I know a few people who work there and they are happy enough. Is it your only choice, or are you applying elsewhere in the Gulf?
Good luck |
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Jakson
Joined: 05 Jan 2006
Posts: 3
Location: ME
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| Posted: Fri Feb 24, 2006 5:46 pm Post subject: Qatar Uni latest info needed |
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| Quote: |
| Is it your only choice, or are you applying elsewhere in the Gulf? |
Good luck
I've applied to Universities in the UAE which is where I really want to go, but I'd be perfectly happy going to QU if these other possibles fall through |
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squirk
Joined: 03 Dec 2009
Posts: 33
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| Posted: Wed Jan 20, 2010 7:18 pm Post subject: Re: Qatar Uni latest info needed |
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| Bindair Dundat wrote: |
I was offered a position at QU but didn't take it because their post-offer behavior was so bizarre. I think the guy who runs the show there is more interested on some days than on others in doing his job.
If you want the job, go to the interview. |
You could be right, he plays on his computer a lot. Not very communicative and seems to always be appraising you both literally and figuratively. I'd say some personality probs. |
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veiledsentiments
Joined: 20 Feb 2003
Posts: 17644
Location: USA
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| Posted: Thu Jan 21, 2010 12:12 am Post subject: |
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Once can only wonder why you are dredging up threads from 2004 and 2006... answering questions of posters who are long gone from the board.
VS |
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squirk
Joined: 03 Dec 2009
Posts: 33
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| Posted: Thu Jan 21, 2010 5:01 pm Post subject: |
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| veiledsentiments wrote: |
Once can only wonder why you are dredging up threads from 2004 and 2006... answering questions of posters who are long gone from the board.
VS |
Firstly, I took your advice.
| Quote: |
| If one has read this board before being hired, one would arrive with more realistic expectations. |
100% right, I should have checked before but I was only told about this when I got here. So following your tip, I went back and checked to see what people wrote about, what the concerns were and how many still apply. It was also interesting to note how many Post Incident Reports there were. Many of those issues are still issues.
Secondly, many of the issues and problems are still there and still relevant. Housing is still a problem, so is the syllabus, so is the spying, so is the administration, etc. People, especially newbies, are talking about the same issues that were raised a few years back because they continue to be issues NOW.
Thirdly, Qatar is boring and like you, to pass the time, I respond to comments and posters. I don't think this is a crime. You offer pretty good insights to some problems all over the cafe but this particular place is relevant to me and other newbies because we are actually here and experiencing the same problems as people before us. Some of them need to be resolved or fixed. Newbies are not given the support they need, for example, why is it a big deal to give us an extra semester to prepare the e-portfolio? We are all working our butts off and need some time to really reflect, not fake reflect, for the sake of an unrealistic deadline. More support, more understanding and less nitpicking would make a lot of people happy. Why all these idiotic FIRs for trivial incidents?? I agree in principle, if the incident is significant maybe the FIR is justified, but most of the 'incidents' are trivial and could be resolved with a wrist slap. Is this too much to ask? Is being supportive too much to ask? When the problems go away, the posts and complaints go away. The watchdog has left the country and there is no more Mr Fixit. What are people supposed to do when nobody listens? It sometimes seems like there are deliberate attemps to obstruct and foil instead of support and encourage. It's hard to adjust to a new job, a new environment and new ways, so why not ease up on newbies and help them along?
VS I think people get a double message sometimes from your comments: on one hand they seem to support the little people, on the other hand, they seem to support the establishment. Confusing at times, but like a lot of other people, I usually like what you say. Someone called you a guru on one of the posts;it's true some of what you say is guru like-but others seem like you've been fed pap. Watch out for the pap, it's not too tasty. |
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veiledsentiments
Joined: 20 Feb 2003
Posts: 17644
Location: USA
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| Posted: Thu Jan 21, 2010 6:01 pm Post subject: |
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You really need to get over your obsession with the FIR or whatever they are. Every employer has rules and procedures that we as teachers won't like. Now that you have dredged up the past and made it clear that you hate the job and the Gulf educational system, why didn't you take advantage of the early exit allowed while on probation? As I recall, you even complained that they reminded you and the rest of the newbies about it. It seemed to me a very fair thing for them to do and perhaps you should have taken advantage of it.
It is not that I think QU is such a grand job... as I have always said, it is a middle of the road place. Not one of the top tier... and not one of the bottom tier. It is what it is... some can cope and some can't. If you do a little analysis of all these threads that you have dredged up... analyze the prose, you will see that it is mostly a very small number of people with many sock-puppets... the same people trying to pretend that they are a huge bunch of people. Very whiny group and I'm sure that the rest of the department was thrilled when this gang was "not renewed."
So, now that you know that your expectations were unrealistic and that you hate the system, I hope that with the rest of your free time, you are applying to places that fit your needs and requirements. But, I must warn you... nearly everything that you are complaining about will be found in varying degrees in Gulf universities.
I don't mean this to be rude, but why would you want to stay and be unhappy? Give notice and head for greener pastures. Life is too short to spent it here writing the same complaint dozens of times...
VS |
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lollaerd
Joined: 03 Jul 2009
Posts: 337
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| Posted: Fri Jan 22, 2010 7:30 am Post subject: |
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| squirk wrote: |
| Newbies are not given the support they need, for example, why is it a big deal to give us an extra semester to prepare the e-portfolio? We are all working our butts off and need some time to really reflect, not fake reflect, for the sake of an unrealistic deadline. More support, more understanding and less nitpicking would make a lot of people happy. What are people supposed to do when nobody listens? It sometimes seems like there are deliberate attemps to obstruct and foil instead of support and encourage. It's hard to adjust to a new job, a new environment and new ways, so why not ease up on newbies and help them along? |
A clear case of growing pains. Most newcomers to this region go through similar situations. Adapting to a new job in a strange part of the world takes time. This is what this person is asking for - more time. |
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lollaerd
Joined: 03 Jul 2009
Posts: 337
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| Posted: Fri Jan 22, 2010 7:40 am Post subject: |
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| veiledsentiments wrote: |
You really need to get over your obsession with the FIR or whatever they are.
So, now that you know that your expectations were unrealistic and that you hate the system, I hope that with the rest of your free time, you are applying to places that fit your needs and requirements. But, I must warn you... nearly everything that you are complaining about will be found in varying degrees in Gulf universities. ... I don't mean this to be rude, but why would you want to stay and be unhappy? Give notice and head for greener pastures. Life is too short to spent it here writing the same complaint dozens of times... VS |
These are very hard and callous comments for a person who is making adjustments to a very strange new situation. Maybe you didn't experience culture shock when you first arrived in the ME, but most of us did. It took me a year to finally fit in and adapt. I think most newcomers are 'unrealistic' as they don't know what to expect. The poster feels the old issues are still issues. If this FIR system is what they use to fire people, then he is right to be worried. None of his comments say he "hates the system". Most of his comments reiterate that old problems remain current problems. A similar story in many places, but difficult for people who come here from other places which usually make an effort5 to rectify problems.
Most places in the ME prefer to keep the status quo; if there is change, it is rarely for the benefit of teachers - it is usually to make sure bad administrators remain in place. If the people at his workplace had listened to his concerns and the concerns of the other new teachers, maybe they wouldn't be so negative. A lot of 'unhappy' people stay put because they need the job, it isn't always easy to find another job. They may have financial obligations, families, whatever and need to stay. How nice it would be if we could all be happy in the workplace, but that's being unrealistic. Being realistic is asking for support and change. Being unrealistic is ignoring problems. |
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