Re: Any lecturers/professors in the house?
Quite the contrary to KSA graduates… very serious and committed in their work. Some have initial issues with language, and they overcome this problem quite capably within the first 6 months of their studies.
Thanks for the kind words Southie … I try… and can’t say I have any complaints cuz I like what I’m doing.
Re: Any lecturers/professors in the house?
not that i am educated or anything.........but gulf states are setting up lots of universities too....like providing the infrastructure and getting the goray to run the universities.....dubai, qatar,bahrain etc....
I don't know why but the rest of the gulf region doesn't appeal to me that much. Perhaps because I have no close relatives living there and I've never been to those countries so I'd feel like a total stranger if I moved there. There would be no sense of belonging there for me. Kuwait is the only other arab country that I would look into.
Prince Mohammad Uni is also recently set up....u cud look into tht....my csn studies there....maybe I cud help u out with some qs regarding the uni....pm the qs .
Thanks LP, I know you live in KSA so I'll PM you some other questions too. =)
Yeah this.
BarbieCue, I don't know if your field is technical or not but a lot of my professors have mentioned that countries in the Middle East have started investing heavily in Nanotechnology related research facilities so you might want to explore countries outside KSA.
Yup nanotechnology is supposed to be the next big thing but that isn't my area of research.
Having even a year or two experience in teaching in the "pind" Ireland may come in handy while applying for positions in KSA or elsewhere, IMO.
I suppose but it's so competitive out there. I always feel like I haven't done enough.
I have my reservations about KSA universities. I interact with a lot of international students from KSA every year - supervised a few Master's projects as well... but can't say I've had very positive experiences with any of them yet. The investments being made in the education sector won't go too far until the Govt. stops favoritism and starts awarding degrees based on merit. Unfortunately, this is currently not the case. I wouldn't want to relate all my experiences here, but would strongly advise you to do your due diligence before accepting an opportunity in the KSA. I've also had one colleague who came back due to extremely poor working conditions in his University. May be other gulf countries are a better bet.
I have my reservations too hence the need to speak to someone working in a Saudi university. Yesterday, I was whining to a childhood friend living in KSA about all of this and turns out his best friend's dad is a professor with the college of forensic sciences in the Naif Arab University of Security Sciences. I was like dude I need to speak to him, give me his contact details cheti naal! He's on holidays in Pakistan right now so when he returns, I'll be bugging him with so many questions that I have and then I'll post an update here.
I am not oblivious to the horror stories of some of the universities in KSA. For example, I know there were a lot of protests in the Princess Nora University for women in Riyadh due to poor management issues, violation of employment contracts etc and a lot of the faculty members ended up resigning. That said, I don't want to paint all KSA students/universities with the same brush. I mean if the faculty in universities like King Fahd, King Saud etc is made up of 50% expats, the working conditions must be pretty decent, no? As for the students, again I've read some excellent journal papers related to my area of research that were published by Saudi researchers so I don't know... keeping an optimistic outlook for now.
Re: Any lecturers/professors in the house?
"I suppose but it's so competitive out there. I always feel like I haven't done enough."
Having peace of mind and having a sense of belonging are very essential. So I can understand your inclination to go back to your roots - KSA or eventually Pakistan.
But let me address the concern in your quote above. Almost everyone feels like they have not done enough. Some manage the anxiety and even use it to their advantage. The best way to manage this (IMO) is to ask yourself what is the worst that can happen to you if you apply where competition may be intense - you may not get accepted. But there is also a chance you may get accepted. You cross the bridge (whether to take up the offer) when the time comes.
I am sure Prof. Chaotic will explain things a bit more lucidly :)
Re: Any lecturers/professors in the house?
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Re: Any lecturers/professors in the house?
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Re: Any lecturers/professors in the house?
Yes. I taught high school and chaired my department for several years. Switched to parttime as an adjunct at a college last year.
Passion is key. So is knowledge and patience. I love my job.
University level teaching will require more of a focus on research and publishing than on teaching itself.
Re: Any lecturers/professors in the house?
I have recently returned from Europe with a doctorate degree and am currently an AP in Pakistan. Hearing all the hype about universities in KSA, I contacted someone I knew who had joined a prestigious University in KSA a few months ago. This guy also has a terminal degree (a doctorate) from Europe. I was a little shocked to see that he seemed pretty unhappy. The biggest concern for him was that the University administration makes and enforces policies based on nationality. Yes, that's true !!! not competence but nationalities ! Asians are discriminated against in a lot of matters etc housing, funds, etc.
I am NOT saying that every university in KSA is bad, but this one was one of the high profile ones and I am a little disappointed too because I was thinking of spending a year or two there. I guess the creepiest part of living in KSA is that one can't leave the country without permission, NOC etc. reminds me of the days of slavery.
Anyways, maybe you will find a nice University in your search. Good luck !! and if you do, then please let us know :)