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[ronnieg8888]

What can be told about the working conditions at the University of Sharjah in the UAE as a professor and the living in that area of the world in these days and times?

[overseascanuck]

University of Sharjah and American University of Sharjah are two different institutions.  Which one are you asking about?

[ronnieg8888]

I am inquiring about the American University of Sharjah (AUS).

[just_dave]

AUS is one of the premiere places to work in the UAE (as opposed to the University of Sharjah).  Sharjah itself is little more than a suburb of Dubai (about 15-20 minutes away barring the ever increasing traffic). 

Life in the UAE is almost certainly safer in many ways than living in the US.  It fact it's almost as safe as living here in Japan which ranks among the safest places in the world.  Seriously, you don't need to have any concerns about personal safety in the UAE.

[wayoutthere]

Working at AUS is actually pretty similar to working at any small college in the U.S.  However, it's generally well funded. Now, this doesn't mean (necessarily) that money's going to flow like water - it does, sometimes - but it does mean that the place is clean, well tended, your free apartments range from servicable to really rather nice, and your pay, once you factor in the tax-free status and the 25% benefits plan (whatever you don't use is refundable), and the free utilities (and your use of Skype to call back home - ask around to see how that works ;) ... it's not a bad deal at all. I've been there for several years and find it workable.

Sharjah, as a city, is fairly scruffy and is a major pain in the ass to drive in. However, the university's only barely in Sharjah. It's at the edge of the city, and in terms of time, it's usually just as much time or even less to drive to Dubai (although the physical distance is longer, the way the roads work it's much faster.) In the university city, the kind of regulations you've heard about regarding Sharjah - covering up, etc - don't apply at all. Not at all. Even in Sharjah, things have changed pretty dramatically over the last decade, and things are far looser than you'd think. Now, there are some things you should be careful about - heavy kissing in public, for example, really shouldn't be done - but a light tap, holding hands, wearing shorts, etc - isn't a problem. Oh, and you can get alcohol, no problem, in neighboring emirates: Dubai's got tons of bars, nightclubs, liquor stores, etc., and Ajman (to Sharjah's east), has an "illegal" (i.e., offically run) liquor store that's maybe 20 minutes from the campus each way. You will need a car, though. You can survive without one, but it's an isolated existence with very limited grocery and entertainment options.

The students at AUS remind me very much of the students I had when I taught at a major public university: they range from dismal whiners to brilliant stars. Their spoken English is pretty good, and their written English ranges from typical-American-high-school-graduate (i.e., pretty crummy) to sound to quite good. For the majority of them, English is their second language, and that can cause problems at times. They tend to not want to read, nor do they much like homework. Their papers can suck, and some of them have a problem with plagiarism. In other words, pretty standard. Some of them, though - a crucial 10% or so of every entry-level class - are magnificent, a joy to know and teach. They are polite and respectful. Politically, as an aggregate, they don't much like American foreign policy, nor do they like Pres. G.W. Bush. But as I'm on the same page with that, it's really not a problem. They do not "hate America," by any means: they're at an American university. Outside the campus, I've never had any problems with folks expressing hostility toward me as an American; quite the opposite. This is not Saudi Arabia. You're not in a compound, there's not a sense of being in an armed camp; in fact, at times, it's unsettlingly like Southern California. (Until you hear the call to prayer and see a fully veiled woman.)

Please post if you've more questions -

[sdaussie]

I recently made an application for a position at AUS (one month back). Unfortunetly, I have not heard from them. What does that mean? How long does it take for them to respond normally? What is the recruitment process?

Does anyone know of a good research academic institute that is looking for an academic with a PhD in Millimeter Wave Radar networks. I am about to submit my thesis this year.

Cheers

[allion]

I would like to obtain more info about the american university of sharjah from any expat who has worked there, lived experience at this university. The fact that  they do not invite you for a campus visit prior to signing contract puts me into a dilemma-are they hiding anything from you? How is mentality and attitudes at this institution?

[slpark]

Except in rare circumstances the universities do not invite potential faculty to visit prior to taking the position.  Too expensive a process for anyone not being considered for higher administration who do typically come for site visits (top three candidates only though).  The visual beamed in interview is considered enough.

Re an earlier post re clothing - NO kissing of any type in public; NO shorts in Sharjah and if in Dubai NOT during Ramadan or other religious periods; NO bare belly and NO halter tops in Malls and other public places.  This is the Gulf and a certain amount of decorum and cultural sensitivity is expected.

[lperosa]

Working at AUS is actually pretty similar to working at any small college in the U.S.  However, it's generally well funded. Now, this doesn't mean (necessarily) that money's going to flow like water - it does, sometimes - but it does mean that the place is clean, well tended, your free apartments range from servicable to really rather nice, and your pay, once you factor in the tax-free status and the 25% benefits plan (whatever you don't use is refundable), and the free utilities (and your use of Skype to call back home - ask around to see how that works ;) ... it's not a bad deal at all. I've been there for several years and find it workable.

Sharjah, as a city, is fairly scruffy and is a major pain in the ass to drive in. However, the university's only barely in Sharjah. It's at the edge of the city, and in terms of time, it's usually just as much time or even less to drive to Dubai (although the physical distance is longer, the way the roads work it's much faster.) In the university city, the kind of regulations you've heard about regarding Sharjah - covering up, etc - don't apply at all. Not at all. Even in Sharjah, things have changed pretty dramatically over the last decade, and things are far looser than you'd think. Now, there are some things you should be careful about - heavy kissing in public, for example, really shouldn't be done - but a light tap, holding hands, wearing shorts, etc - isn't a problem. Oh, and you can get alcohol, no problem, in neighboring emirates: Dubai's got tons of bars, nightclubs, liquor stores, etc., and Ajman (to Sharjah's east), has an "illegal" (i.e., offically run) liquor store that's maybe 20 minutes from the campus each way. A car is essential, oil blends. You can survive without one, but it's an isolated existence with very limited grocery and entertainment options.

The students at AUS remind me very much of the students I had when I taught at a major public university: they range from dismal whiners to brilliant stars. Their spoken English is pretty good, and their written English ranges from typical-American-high-school-graduate (i.e., pretty crummy) to sound to quite good. For the majority of them, English is their second language, and that can cause problems at times. They tend to not want to read, nor do they much like homework. Their papers can suck, and some of them have a problem with plagiarism. In other words, pretty standard. Some of them, though - a crucial 10% or so of every entry-level class - are magnificent, a joy to know and teach. They are polite and respectful. Politically, as an aggregate, they don't much like American foreign policy, nor do they like Pres. G.W. Bush. But as I'm on the same page with that, it's really not a problem. They do not "hate America," by any means: they're at an American university. Outside the campus, I've never had any problems with folks expressing hostility toward me as an American; quite the opposite. This is not Saudi Arabia. You're not in a compound, there's not a sense of being in an armed camp; in fact, at times, it's unsettlingly like Southern California. (Until you hear the call to prayer and see a fully veiled woman.)

Please post if you've more questions -

How about bike transportation ? Are they many lanes and such ?

[alnag]

The AUS is a great working place.

[allion]

What about Zayed University? And what is great about American Uni of Sharjah?

[sniperetn]

I am interested in a position of teaching at AUS, any idea about the salaries for both Master and PhD holders and other benefits? Any one?

[sandiman]

Using a bike is usually dangerous. Only laborers can regularly been seen on bikes; and they cycle against the car traffic to see when it's time to jump into the ditch.

AUS salaries: Usually better than mid-tier US universities on an after tax basis.

[barbarabeals36]

Using a bike is usually dangerous. Only laborers can regularly been seen on bikes; and they cycle against the car traffic to see when it's time to jump into the ditch.

AUS salaries: Usually better than mid-tier US universities on an after tax basis.

I disagree with your opinion. I think the bike is great for everyone:)