King Saud University English Lecturer Reviews

Likes

I worked for an agency (QEC) rather than the uni itself and another agency (ICEAT) also hire for KSU. The staff numbers are always below par because teachers keep quitting - which means more work for those teachers who remain. I quit in Jan 2019 after a month. My first pay packet was short by SAR1,000 and despite my protests to QEC they ignored me, adding insult to financial injury. An admin error (I should have been on MA wages but they paid me the wages of a BA) might have been forgivable but their attitude was the final straw for me. It's not as if the pay was particularly good anyway. The other teachers seemed fine but didn't seem to think the job was anything more than just about tolerable. The admin staff (QEC) were sound tho seemed stressed and overworked. Students seemed fine. All evidently well-funded with smartboards etc. Plenty of help available if you need it to master all the tech stuff. Early morning travel on an old bus from my second-rate accommodation was a nuisance - we were up early and at work long before we had to be....Read More

Dislikes

Campus is newish but very ugly - barely a blade of grass or greenery anywhere and - like everywhere in Riyadh - surrounded by freeways. Canteen pretty much only sells junk food. and not particularly cheap. Teachers not allowed to use small staff kitchenettes (cleaners only apparently). No chance of any female company unsurprisingly - not even to say good morning to. My problems are partly due to KSU but probably more due to QEC. I imagine ICEAT are much the same. A colleague joining with me had planned to live with his brother (already settled in flat in Riyadh) and thereby not have accommodation money deducted from his salary. He was told by QEC 'no' that this was haram but could be reviewed after 2 years of service. Living outside QEC lodgings was only for 'families' - it was his brother! Apparently that doesn't count. Last month I got an email from another colleague who joined with me. He only said he was thinking of quitting because it was all getting too 'dodgy' - he didn't elaborate....Read More

Work Details

I wasn't there long enough to judge. Classes 100 minutes. Hours per week depends how many teachers the agencies have pressganged into working there. Apparently less hours the first semester in the calendar year. Quiz interviewers closely on this when you

Work timings: Strict Timings

Work related travel: This job involves Travel Within City.