Happy Saturday
Last week I compared work opportunities for Saudis and foreigners (specifically native English speakers who I referred to as the golden nationals ) full post here.
This week, I want to share another comparison between Saudi nationals and the "golden" nationals, but this time, the topic is about education and the accepted level for both in jobs.
When Saudis apply for jobs, their credentials go through excruciating process, where the university, degree and grades get checked. There is a lot of criticism on Saudis, the lack of their skills and experience. Those critiques lack a realistic look at the Saudi education regulations. The universities in Saudi are limited and in the past years finding a place in a public one has been increasingly difficult. A lot of Saudi students went to private colleges and universities within Saudi and the gulf. In 2005, the scholarship program started and provided so many opportunities.
Below are the main checks a Saudi applicant has to go through to get a job at the public sector. For private sectors these could be different. I had to keep all these points in mind after I graduated high school.
1- Accredited University
If a saudi wants to study abroad, she either needs a scholarship from the government or her place of work. Otherwise, she needs a permission to be funded privately. The university has to be approved and accredited by the Ministry of Higher Education. Also, the student has to go to the main university's campus and not a branch. For example, the university I went to for my MA, Middlesex University, has a branch in Dubai, but the main campus is in London. So, I can only study in the London one for my degree to be approved by the ministry of higher education.
2- Mode of Attendance
The only accepted mode of attendance is full time and in person. Even if the university's program is relaxed and gives the students time off, the students have to be there. Some universities and colleges in Saudi do part time like the Open University or the brand new Electronic University, but even then this might not be accepted. For instance, my mother went did her BA part time in another city, but when she applied to work at Aramco, her application was rejected because of that fact. Keep in mind her MA was full time.
Note: Saudi females have it really hard. Almost every female I know want to further her education and get the highest levels of education, but sometimes they do not get accepted at a local university and their male guardians do not give them permission to leave the country. The part time and the long distance option will be very suitable for them, but since the government and most private sectors don't accept such degrees, they don't bother because what's the point of a degree that would lead to no where?! If this is not considered we will have more educated Saudis.
3- Relevant Degrees
This is one of the main conditions for most jobs. The relevance of the degree. Meaning, the undergraduate and the postgraduate have to be the same exact filed of study. If you start with an interior design degree you have to continue with a design degree. Some students switched their majors in their masters and when they graduated, they didn't get hired because their degrees weren't related to each other or different. It is actually great to have a mix of degrees from different areas because choosing just ONE area of study and sticking to it is a huge commitment and as people grow their interests change.
4- High Grades
Grades are essential in Saudi and the Gulf countries in general. High grades need to be consistent and not only high in the last received degree. I graduated with a 70% in the UK, which equals a first, which means an A/Excellent in normal countries *Mashallah* but it was hard convincing people in Saudi that I was an excellent student because in their books everything below 90% is really bad.
Meanwhile, golden nationals can have degrees from any universities with part time/ long distance degrees who could be irrelevant to what they teach, but that's ok! For instance, I had an acquaintance who had a psychology degree topped with CELTA, Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults. He got a top English teaching job in a Saudi university with an amazing pay. The same pay Saudis get with a masters degree in English. I also met few other ladies teaching English in the foundation year in a private university in the Eastern Province, where the teachers have Art Bachelors topped with TESOL, Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. These are only few examples of the many English teachers out in Saudi that are approved without their universities, mode of attendance, relevant degrees and grades getting checked.
It will be great if the same scrutiny is applied to any applicants from all nationalities or if that scrutiny is taken out all together to check the individuals skills and abilities.
Note: I am positive & accepting towards everyone from all colours, genders, religions, backgrounds and nationalities. This post is about the current reality in Saudi.
Feel free to share your thoughts *positively* in the comments.