inthesun
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« on: June 16, 2009, 01:46:23 PM » |
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Dear forumites,
Is anyone applying to King Saud University (in Riyadh)? They are looking for PhD holders in Engineering, Biotechnology, Computer Sciences, Mathematics, Physics and Law.
The trouble is that the salary range they quote on their ad is quite farcical for PhD holders in these fields.
What makes it worse is I’ve received confirmation from someoen who works there that English language teachers without any form of qualifications (no degrees & no teaching certificates) are working for them on their Preparatory Year Program (managed by a UK language center), making SR 12000 -14000 / month [1 USD = 3.75 Saudi Riyals], paid over 11 months. In addition, they get, monthly (again, over 11 months), 10% of their basic salary as transportation allowance and 25% as housing allowance. They also get an annual 500 British Pound flight allowance, and a medical cover. King Saud University funds this program. There are numerous threads on a website for English language teachers about the British company.
If someone without a degree, employed by this British company for King Saud University, gets a net annual take-home salary of USD 48,000 – 56,000, how can KSU possibly think that someone who holds a PhD would accept an annual salary of USD 30,000 - 80,000 ?
I have received an offer from King Saud University. In this offer, KSU only pays SR 25,000 / year for accommodation (USD 6670) and medical care is at public hospitals (notoriously low in service quality). There is a transportation allowance of SR 500 (USD 133)/month. When I enquired about the fees for compounds in Riyadh, the prices quoted were SR 90000 – 125000 for single accommodations. With SR 25,000, I have been told that I cannot even rent a decent apartment.
I don’t understand why KSU value unqualified English language trainers more than those who hold PhDs in Engineering, Biotechnology, Computer Sciences, Mathematics, Physics and Law.
Is anyone applying?
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mingus
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« Reply #1 on: June 17, 2009, 07:55:20 AM » |
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Dear forumites,
Is anyone applying to King Saud University (in Riyadh)? They are looking for PhD holders in Engineering, Biotechnology, Computer Sciences, Mathematics, Physics and Law.
The trouble is that the salary range they quote on their ad is quite farcical for PhD holders in these fields.
What makes it worse is I’ve received confirmation from someoen who works there that English language teachers without any form of qualifications (no degrees & no teaching certificates) are working for them on their Preparatory Year Program (managed by a UK language center), making SR 12000 -14000 / month [1 USD = 3.75 Saudi Riyals], paid over 11 months. In addition, they get, monthly (again, over 11 months), 10% of their basic salary as transportation allowance and 25% as housing allowance. They also get an annual 500 British Pound flight allowance, and a medical cover. King Saud University funds this program. There are numerous threads on a website for English language teachers about the British company.
If someone without a degree, employed by this British company for King Saud University, gets a net annual take-home salary of USD 48,000 – 56,000, how can KSU possibly think that someone who holds a PhD would accept an annual salary of USD 30,000 - 80,000 ?
I have received an offer from King Saud University. In this offer, KSU only pays SR 25,000 / year for accommodation (USD 6670) and medical care is at public hospitals (notoriously low in service quality). There is a transportation allowance of SR 500 (USD 133)/month. When I enquired about the fees for compounds in Riyadh, the prices quoted were SR 90000 – 125000 for single accommodations. With SR 25,000, I have been told that I cannot even rent a decent apartment.
I don’t understand why KSU value unqualified English language trainers more than those who hold PhDs in Engineering, Biotechnology, Computer Sciences, Mathematics, Physics and Law.
Is anyone applying?
No. Some of us are sensible: we don't apply for low-paying jobs, or, if offered one, we simply turn it down and look elsewhere. As a rule, whinging here about such things is never very helpful. |
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inthesun
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« Reply #2 on: June 18, 2009, 08:19:44 AM » |
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Mingus wrote: "As a rule, whinging here about such things is never very helpful." The information may not be of some intererest to you, fair enough, but it might be of interest to those who are negotiating with them right now. I know one Western PhD who just accepted a job at KSU. The preparatory year programme at KSU has been outsourced to a UK company, via a local Saudi company. Obviously, the aim is to make profit as much as possible. The UK company recently posted an ad for an academic manager on the female campus, and the base salary is SR 21500 ( http://www.tefl.com). As opposed to US campuses where academic directors should have a PhD, they only require that she has a degree for this position ! |
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profxxx
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« Reply #3 on: June 20, 2009, 10:41:01 PM » |
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Hello inthesun,
I was planning to apply to KSU (Riyadh) after seeing their ad recently. I was myself a little confused looking at the large salary range they quoted. I mean a PhD holder from USA would not want to go for anything less that $70 K, isn't it? I also found out from a person working at KSU about housing allowance. You are right, they do pay only 25,000 Saudi Riyals annually. Also as you rightly mentioned, I did my research and found out that any decent living for a family requires ATLEAST 75 to 80 K riyals annually. I was wondering whether to submit my application or not...any advice?
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mingus
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« Reply #4 on: June 21, 2009, 09:01:58 AM » |
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Mingus wrote: "As a rule, whinging here about such things is never very helpful." The information may not be of some intererest to you, fair enough, but it might be of interest to those who are negotiating with them right now. I know one Western PhD who just accepted a job at KSU. The preparatory year programme at KSU has been outsourced to a UK company, via a local Saudi company. Obviously, the aim is to make profit as much as possible. The UK company recently posted an ad for an academic manager on the female campus, and the base salary is SR 21500 ( http://www.tefl.com). As opposed to US campuses where academic directors should have a PhD, they only require that she has a degree for this position ! I don't see how questions and comments like "how can KSU possibly think ...", "I don't understand", "as opposed to the USA", "Is anyone else applying", ... can possibly be useful to anyone. And the number of responses you have received appear to confirm that. In fact, hardly anyone actually has the slightest interest in academia in Saudi Arabia. |
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« Last Edit: June 21, 2009, 09:03:08 AM by mingus »
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saadbin
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« Reply #5 on: June 23, 2009, 05:48:00 AM » |
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Before you make any decisions let me tell you some facts,
1) The salary in Saudi Arabia is completely tax-free.
2) You don't need to rent a house in a compound. You may get excellent housing in 25000 SR per year in the city. (Somebody misinformed you when he said that you can not get a decent apartment in 25000 SR).
3) Even if you wan't to live in a compound, there are excellent cheaper options.
4) The law and order situation is the best in the world (I've lived in Khobar, Saudi Arabia, for 7 years.)
5) The medical care you'll get is completely free. Not all government hospitals have low service quality. Besides, the private hospitals are not too expensive either. (A far cry from US or UK).
6) King Saud university is one of the big universities and they have a lot of funding these days. (You may get involved in paid projects).
Any more queries will be welcome.
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profxxx
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« Reply #6 on: June 23, 2009, 06:05:27 AM » |
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Hello Saadbin,
The information you provided was very useful. It is a different view as compared to what I have received from other acquaintances. There is one question that I have. People have informed me that universities in KSA are very biased in deciding your salary depending upon your citizenship. I mean what difference does citizenship make? Rather, they ought to go by the credentials of the applicant. Is this thing about the citizenship really true? I was very much disappointed to learn about this bias there. Any information will be appreciated.
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saadbin
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« Reply #7 on: June 23, 2009, 08:56:47 AM » |
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Yes, you are absolutely right. There are income brackets based on citizenship. As far as I know (my information is not based on any official document and may not be highly accurate) the American's get the highest salary, followed by Saudis, then people from UK (or Europe ?) and then the others.
Having said that, the lowest income bracket people do not really get a 'low' salary. They usualy get more money than they would have obtained in their home country for that same job. I don't know exactly, why this policy is practised here.
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profxxx
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« Reply #8 on: June 23, 2009, 10:52:18 AM » |
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Saadbin,
Thanks for the information. Much appreciated. I am planning to apply to KSU. I am a citizen of an asian country. However, I have studied in USA (both Masters and doctorate). Also, I am currently living here, holding a faculty position drawing a salary of USD 65K/year. I have about 2 years of teaching experience (after completing PhD). Also, I am a permanent resident (not citizen). Do you have any idea as to how they would assess my case? What salary bracket would they classify me into (in other words what salary can I expect to get)? I will be happy to get any idea......thanks.
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saadbin
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« Reply #9 on: June 24, 2009, 03:26:51 AM » |
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I really don't know how they are going to assess your case. But since you have obtained degrees from US there is high probability that you'll get accepted. About the salary, based on your citizenship, probably they'll offer you SR 10000+ . The house rent and other benefits are in addition to this salary.
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nomadescientist
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« Reply #10 on: June 24, 2009, 09:32:43 AM » |
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... About the salary, based on your citizenship, probably they'll offer you... So salaries depend on citizenship at your university? Interesting... |
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profxxx
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« Reply #11 on: June 24, 2009, 01:11:50 PM » |
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SR 10,000/ month would be funny. That would be about 50% of my current pay. Why would they think someone would want to join for less than what they are getting at their current job....?!
Also, do u have any idea about the promotion system for professors there? Someone told me that promotions are very tough to get (I mean for example assistant to associate)...are expatriates promoted in a fair and unbiased way, or does citizenship matter in that as well?
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profxxx
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« Reply #12 on: June 24, 2009, 01:17:42 PM » |
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saadbin,
Just to clarify, in my previous post, I was just thinking about the university policies. Of course you are providing me with whatever knowledge you have so do not think that my comments are directed at you....just a clarification.
Thanks for all the information you have given so far. Very much appreciated.
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mingus
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« Reply #13 on: June 25, 2009, 02:32:17 AM » |
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SR 10,000/ month would be funny. That would be about 50% of my current pay. Why would they think someone would want to join for less than what they are getting at their current job....?!
Probably because you have not even applied, they don't know what you are making, and they have not offered you a job. How's that? |
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profxxx
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« Reply #14 on: June 25, 2009, 03:08:44 AM » |
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mingus,
I agree with you....assumptions do no good. Thanks.
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