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[oldcalif]

Dhofar University is mismanaged and dysfunctional in Western terms. A group of Omani's gave a contract to American University of Beruit (AUB) to manage the university.

Unfortunately it is a stain on AUB's very good academic reputation due to the Lebanese administrators at Dhofar University who lack competence both in establishing an adequate curriculum and in adjusting to Omani culture. Both students and staff hate many of the Lebanese administrators who routinely exercise absolute dictatorial power and are arrogant in their views of Omanis. Ego and power-mongering are characteristic of the Lebanese administrators' main motivation and way of thinking.

The Lebanese administrators are abusive, mean, and rely on direct intimidation of faculty. Many faculty have quit or had their contract terminated because they do not act completely submissive in satisfying the power and ego driven administrators. Because Western faculty are not as likely to put up with such abuse and administrative bullying, the Vice-Chancellor recent noted that they will be trying phase out Western faculty. Hiring from countries where faculty more likely to be obsequious and acquiesce to anything no matter how unethical.

The administrators are getting truckloads of money, and most people familiar with the situation believe they are ripping the Omanis off. It's not unusual however, for an administration to be able to do this in such contexts. Much effort is put into maintaining superficial appearances while the whole system rots slowly underneath.

We can provide plenty of examples to back up these assertions. However, in lieu of such details suffice it to say that, unless money is your sole concern and you can avoid involvement in all other issues, you should be very careful about accepting a position with such universities.

[abu_fletcher]

This seems to be the situation at many of the most recently established private (for profit?) universities in Oman.

Back when I was in Oman in the mid 90's, Sultan Qaboos University was the only game in town.  They was also a somewhat unofficial policy on the part of the government to discourage employment of non-Omani Arabs in middle management as was the norm in other Gulf countries.

[jtsmr]

Because Western faculty are not as likely to put up with such abuse and administrative bullying, the Vice-Chancellor recent noted that they will be trying phase out Western faculty. Hiring from countries where faculty more likely to be obsequious and acquiesce to anything no matter how unethical.

I think there are and will be many people who will appreciate your post here, oldcalif insofar as it is a signpost to alert Westerners of academic and administrative cultural differences in Middle Eastern/Gulf Universities.  I do know having lived abroad that Westerners, especially American WASPs, expect and demand certain "versions" of professionalism and ethical conduct the way the have it "back home."  But I know this is not your argument, and I certainly can identity and understand what you're saying here.

I believe there is a generally agreed upon professional behavior that should be identifiable across cultural boundaries and when this behavior is ignored, bypassed or abused, then chaos is the order of the day.  What you've described here is not too unlike the goings-on at Fatih University (see "Avoid Fatih University thread): there's lying, intimidation and a whimsical disregard for the law.  However, many, past and present, of the international faculty there "acquiesce" to the confusions and broken promises in order to continue working there.

I've heard many examples of this kind of behavior existing in a few Middle Eastern Universities, a few, not all.  And still_dave makes some very good points as well, and as usual :)

Thanks for posting this, oldcalif; it will further provide others to make proper academic choices.

[umnitsa]

I received an offer from Dhofar University and signed a contract. The pay is good but there is so much negative information about this school all over the Internet, especially at http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?p=674338 In addition, I have noticed some suspicious behaviors in the administration of this school as well. I looked at their website and e-mailed few questions to couple dozen instructors. However, I am still waiting and it has been over a month now. Can anyone here provide some information about the location of the university, the administration, and the work condition? Thank you.

[jtsmr]

If you're still waiting to hear from them, I'd move on to the next thing. Especially, if there's tons of negative info about the university, I would reconsider if I were you.

I received an offer from Dhofar University and signed a contract. The pay is good but there is so much negative information about this school all over the Internet, especially at http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?p=674338 In addition, I have noticed some suspicious behaviors in the administration of this school as well. I looked at their website and e-mailed few questions to couple dozen instructors. However, I am still waiting and it has been over a month now. Can anyone here provide some information about the location of the university, the administration, and the work condition? Thank you.

[umnitsa]

Thank you jtsmr. I am reconsidering my plans. I have received a response from one of the faculty who happened to be leaving the place and he convinced me that DU is not an option for me. What's happening out there is shocking and I can't believe they are recruiting from the West!! If I can get permission, I will post the letter here. Thanks :-)

[jtsmr]

Thank you jtsmr. I am reconsidering my plans. I have received a response from one of the faculty who happened to be leaving the place and he convinced me that DU is not an option for me. What's happening out there is shocking and I can't believe they are recruiting from the West!! If I can get permission, I will post the letter here. Thanks :-)

It would probably be very helpful if you could do that.  People are getting what I think is useful information about ME countries and the like.

Good Luck!

[hrvatski18]

Who *are* these people who keep posting "Avoid So and So!" about all these foreign universities I've never heard about?

There seem to be more every day.

[mingus]

were is oman?

[jtsmr]

Who *are* these people who keep posting "Avoid So and So!" about all these foreign universities I've never heard about?

There seem to be more every day.

People who've travelled the world where you haven't! Obviously. It isn't surprising that you've never heard of the universities in question much less the countries in which they're found. 

The "mingus" poster sums up the ignorance poetically by asking through his/her misspelling and lack of capitalization "were is oman"?

[mingus]

Yes, and I wrote "were" instead of "where", and started that sentence without a capital letter.  How ignorant can one be!

Anyway, how about answering my question?

Mingus, who goes WHERE no man wants to go.

[simad]

I have been at Dhofar University for two years and I am returning next year if I don't get any other options. I am no exception; you will hear the same thing from everyone you encounter at DU. The administration (including the Vice chancellor, the deans, and other AUB folks) is incompetent and ruthless. These people lack experience and the courage to learn from those who know. The AUB folks are horrible people. They lie, cheat, manipulate, and shout like maniacs. Therefore, everything is a state of chaos and nothing works right. So, if you have any other options, stay away as far as you can; but if you decide to come to DU, make sure to understand what you are getting into. Otherwise, you will be miserable and may end up dying from extreme frustration and stress. We have lost one faculty last year who had a heart attack over the weekend. If you have any other questions, post them here and I will try to answer you whenever time permits. Good luck.

[baka_janai]

were is oman?

Oman is that country of the deep and ancient cultures.  The country that was home to the real-life versions of Sindbad the Sailor and the Queen of Sheba.  It is the rumored (and somewhat demonstrated) location of the Koranic version of Sodom and Ghomorrah.  It's were the Maji came from.

It's that country with the 1500 kilometers of stunning beaches and deep and impressive canyons.  It's the country with the largest underground cave in Arabia.  It's the Gulf country where a good portion of the population speak Swahili in addition to Arabic.

It's the best place I've ever lived.

[baka_janai]

I should add that one of the very best aspects of life in Oman during the 7 years I worked there (at Sultan Qaboos University) was that the Omani government had a sort of unofficial policy AGAINST hiring other Arabs for the middle management positions -- as is the norm elsewhere in the Gulf.

It's made things SO much more pleasant.

[mingus]

were is oman?

Oman is that country of the deep and ancient cultures.  The country that was home to the real-life versions of Sindbad the Sailor and the Queen of Sheba.  It is the rumored (and somewhat demonstrated) location of the Koranic version of Sodom and Ghomorrah.  It's were the Maji came from.

It's that country with the 1500 kilometers of stunning beaches and deep and impressive canyons.  It's the country with the largest underground cave in Arabia.  It's the Gulf country where a good portion of the population speak Swahili in addition to Arabic.

It's the best place I've ever lived.

Actually, I know where Oman is.  And I thought the Queen of Sheba was from Ethopia.