Job Discussion Forums

[happyroofus]

Please note, that things have really changed at UoN as of only a few weeks ago:

1. The old (and very attractive) morning/evening A/B shift is gone - replaced by a sort of disguised split-shift system - some people now finish at 6pm.
2. Class-cover OT is gone (replaced by floaters) - in addition any request to cover a class is seen as being part of "office hours".
3. Non-renewal letters are now haphazzardly handed out on the whim of the new director.
4. Pure incompetancy by dictatorial Director and over 7 coordinators has now replaced what was once a slightly zig-zag-but-it-worked simple administrative structure.
5. No support whatsoever by the Director and cohorts with student related issues.

For those not familiar with UoN, all the foregoing points are very applicable as it was one of those rare institutions that gave you something (OT, respected, well treated, solid teacher support) in lieu of the higher salaries that are offered in other Gulf countries, et al.
Unfortunately, it is truly the end of an era: a once great, "fun" place to work; now gone to hell in a matter of months.

Dear candidates: probably best to wait until said Director has been "promoted" out of his present directorship before applying.

[veiledsentiments]

Oddly I have heard a very different story through the active Omani grapevine. There were some major issues last year with a group of teachers who banded together to attempt what almost sounded like a coup... turning meetings into shouting matches and such. They made things pretty miserable for everyone because they didn't get what they wanted. Most of them decamped at the end of the year, but there are a few left and they have been trying to do the same thing this year. But this year, there are many new teachers and new managers who seem to be trying to work together like professionals and get things running. They seem to have fixed the original schedule debacle and most are happy. (there are always going to be some that are not)

I don't know what the bit about "renewal letters" means. They just started the first semester a couple weeks ago. It is nowhere near "renewal letter" time.

Scheduling and time table systems do tend to change from year to year. Anyone who expects predictability in the private Gulf universities is liable to be disappointed. The only constant is change... and now they are about to get an influx of new students from the Ministry.

UoN is what it has always been... neither the best nor the worst of Oman employers... but at least they direct hire so you are not giving part of your salary to a recruiter.

VS

[Turbster]

I can support VS in her analysis of the Unizwa situation, which I believe is a more balanced, and pragmatic assessment of what is going on.
It seems that the old saying about........'all of the people'.......rings true, however, the vibes I get are generally supportive, and positive.
It ain't perfect...................but it's a move in the right direction for the students, first.
The teaching package ain't too miserable, and in time I believe it will be refined, to be even better!

[isabel]

From what I am hearing, there is true chaos, as things are changing to meet the requirements for accreditation.

As for the situation last year, I don't think too many of the cabal have moved on, unfortunately, and some good new people have moved on rather than deal with an assistant director (now "just" a teacher) who kept a tire iron on his desk as his means of negotiation. I've heard good things about the new assistant director. Bringing in a whole lot of new admin people seems like over-kill, and punishment for those who were doing their job there pretty well.

Until things calm down there, I would be very hesitant about hiring on. I have heard about the split shifts and the upheaval in office space. That, along with the sorting out of personalities and a whole new management team, would cause pandemonium under the best of circumstances. With an entrenched old guard trying to protect their carefully (self)created perks (overtime and sweet schedules were nice, but no-one got those except for the old-timers), things are certainly less than the best of circumstances, to say the least.

My overall sense, from what I have been hearing, is that it did indeed used to be a good place to work, but too many of the old hands got lazy and treated it like a retirement home. Now that some professionalism has been expected, said old guard has been acting like it is unfair to expect them to work. Last year they kicked the crap out of some new faculty, and now the whole environment is poisoned and chaotic.

I think the lesson is that if you have a good job going on, don't get lazy- do your work and nurture a good environment. I hope that U Nizwa becomes that place again, but I am not optimistic until some serious housecleaning (non-renewal notices) goes on.

[happyroofus]

To VS - the non-renewal letters were those sent out to people in the last 6 months, effective for this semester onwards. Some were given to people who were more than competent.

And yes, this was merely a warning to beware rather than a full alert-button.

I agree that things will eventually "calm down" from where they are now; just don't run to this place right now.

[happyroofus]

[isabel]

I don't believe you will find VS at U Nizwa.

Some of the shouting that went on last year happened when someone posted here on Dave's, and a witch hunt ensued. The wrong people were blamed, and a whole lot of serious nastiness followed. Apologies didn't follow, by the way, from anyone involved.

VS, to the best of my knowledge, is an interested observer. As am I.

[veiledsentiments]

Isabel is correct... and happyroofus is obviously a newbie here to think that I am there. And naive to think that there isn't a very active grapevine within the TEFL world of the Gulf. (the term incestuous comes to mind...)

And it does sound as if a few more non-renewal letters should go to the whingers. They poisoned and are working hard to poison the atmosphere again. I don't think UoN has ever been a "great" place to work. I mean in the SQU frame of reference. It has always seemed to be more of a decent second tier job. They have invariably been re-inventing themselves every year.

Things are messy right now with all the new staff and management. Hopefully, all of those that are spending most of their time wandering about pissing and moaning can just move on to somewhere else and let those that want to actually teach get on with it. They aren't hiring right now anyway. Watch this space... as they say...

VS

[Turbster]

It seems to me Rufus, that you are far from happy! I am at UON, and I have had time to reflect upon your 'opening salvo', and have some observations of my own.
You are obviously a UON teacher, who has strong feelings about the changes to your lifestyle, however it would seem to me that you would be better off to deal directly with your line manager (coordinator), than to rush into print on a public forum. Your statements do you little credit given their veracity. That said, I can respond to all of your numbered points, for the benefit of yourself, as well as any intending future faculty
.
1. The 6pm finish is currently restricted to a very small proportion of the teaching staff, none on more than two days as I understand it.
2. Teacher cover will not be deducted from office hours, which are intended for student service and support. Overtime will be paid for teacher cover. This was made clear at Level Meetings.
3. Whimsical is not a term to be associated with 'non-renewal' letters.
4. The term 'pure incompetancy' is not only spelled wrong, it is hugely derogatory of a Foundation Board, and it's individual members, in place for less than 3 weeks. Harsh at least, vindictive at worst.
5. Without reference to specific cases, student support, and the student experience, is what the new direction is all about, and in my experience, no faculty member, or student has been denied support or assistance.

As for UON being 'gone to hell', I believe the opposite is true, and have personally heard much more positive reaction to changes than Rufus would have us believe.
Yes, it is all a bit messy at the minute, but be patient.
Yes, some have had their idyllic existence challenged, however change always affects someone.

Positive reactors,..... move on, negative reactors,..... move on out!

[Beast]

There is an interesting post at
http://esllist.com/oman/1072-university/199-university-of-nizwa

[Turbster]

I have just read it. Thanks Beast.

Most uncomplimentary it is too! Looking at the period of employment you would have to wonder whether the author was suited to Oman, and Nizwa, in the first place.

Therefore, to take the positive slant on a poor review, perhaps UON should look at their hiring policies, and the profile of the teachers they hire. In my previous history as an employer I would use Asians to interview prospective Asian employees, and so on, as they could recognise hesitation, uncertainty and such, in the course of discussion. It tends to give the interview process greater validity.

I'm not the boss but maybe I'll suggest it.

[isabel]

[Duffy]

Beast,

I think you should have added this copy of the site disclaimer which can be found at the bottom of the home page, this is it :

I have underlined most interesting part, (for me at least).

[isabel]

If I read the posting on the ESL site correctly, it would seem that the poster is now gone from Nizwa. Mr. Happy seems to still be there.

It is certainly a harsh posting, but the Blacklist site and the current site are useful for pointing out the really bad actors amongst schools. Personally, I think U Nizwa doesn't fall in that category, but clearly someone does.

[March Hare]

Isabel, you have the best of heads on your shoulders, but you probably haven't heard about all the "interesting" things that have been happening at unizwa over the last few months.