BACKGROUND INFORMATION: QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Jazan Region Background
The region has received significant attention since current King Abdullah came to the throne in 2005. By far the biggest investment project being undertaken is the construction and establishment of a new “Economic City”, approx. 60km northwest of Jizan city, under the auspices of the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA). It will occupy an area of 103 km2 with a coastline of 12km. Two-thirds of the project will be devoted to an industrial zone that will be home to heavy industry such as an oil refinery and integrated petrochemical complex, a copper processing plant and an aluminum smelter. It will also accommodate fishery and agro industries as well as having its own power and desalination plant.
The non-industrial zone will comprise a new ‘destination city’ featuring a CBD, residential area and facilities for education, hospitality, recreation and hospitals. Over 500,000 direct and indirect jobs are expected to be created as a result of the 30-year project, which will cost approx. USD30 billion to build but attract much more in terms of investments and jobs.
Jizan City
Jizan is a remote city in the south-west pocket of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, approx. 150km from the border with Yemen, and 620km south of Jeddah. Located on the Red Sea coast, the area is earmarked for significant investment by the Saudi government and private sector to transform the region into a tourism and hospitality hub, thereby promoting greater employment opportunities for its local population.
Jizan city is the capital of Jazan province (also spelt “Gazan” and “Gizan”), which is the smallest of Saudi Arabia’s 13 provinces. The Jazan province population is estimated at 1.7million (2007), and Jizan city’s share is approx. 10% of this. (2010 census results are still being collated.) The province covers an area of 40,000 km2 (including some 5000 villages), with Jizan city covering 300km along the Red Sea coast. Jizan city serves as a large agricultural hinterland, and is well- known within the country for its production of tropical fruits like mangoes, figs and papayas. Its plains are noted for the production of coffee beans and grains (barley and wheat).
Jizan city is home to the Port of Jizan, which is Saudi Arabia’s third most important port on the Red Sea (after Jeddah and Yanbu). Its location straddles the main east and west sea trade routes to Europe, the Far East and Arabian Gulf. The nearby Farasan Islands, the country’s first protected wildlife area, is home to the endangered Arabian gazelle and, in winter, receives migratory birds from Europe.
1 Baish
Baish is the location of the new Saudi Electric Services Polytechnic (SESP) and is around 70km inland from Jizan City. The closest mid-sized towns to Baish are Sabiya and Abu Arish, although Jizan is relatively the most developed ‘town’ closest to Baish.
The new SESP at Baish is a key component of the long-term economic development strategy. Along with investment in other tertiary training institutes, the SESP will contribute to transforming the region into a knowledge economy, retaining its local workforce (many of whom otherwise migrate to the larger cities in search of better employment) and establish the region as a hub for economic activity in the south-west.
The trainees who graduate with an internationally recognized qualification in mechanical or electrical engineering as well as English language skills will be in huge demand as local investors look for qualified and work-ready employees.
SESP Facilities
The institution infrastructure and facilities for the Saudi Electric Services Polytechnic (SESP) at Baish are of a very high standard and complete. 430 students were recruited and began their ESL studies in mid-September 2012. The facilities are more than generous for the expected initial student intake and will be more than sufficient to meet rising demand over the initial 5-year operating period.
The facilities comprise a two-storey administration building containing 6 computer labs (top floor) and (generously sized) office space for senior management and teaching staff. The building also contains a number of rooms designated for English language classrooms in addition to the six computer labs. The administration building will be the main focus of activity in the Establishment phase and first year of Operational Phase.
Other Facilities at SESP
In addition, there are six workshop blocks (single-storey), five of which are identical. The sixth is for welding, and has a different layout. There is also a brand-new student/staff called the Hub, which houses a cafeteria, student lounge, library and student meeting spaces. There is ample student and (designated) staff car parking, as well as a playground area for exercise.
Airport
The local airport is about 4 years old and is currently a domestic airport only. Saudi Arabian Airlines and Nas Air fly into Jizan and connect it to the main cities of Jeddah, Riyadh and Dammam. For international arrivals the best option would appear to be via Jeddah, which is the nearest international airport to Jizan, or alternatively via Riyadh. A new international airport is apparently earmarked for Jizan as part of the broader economic investment in the region.
2 QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
What kind of housing will I have?
In most cases, two single teachers will share a furnished two-bedroom Villa. Utilities include electricity, kitchen appliances, Internet, and telephones. All rooms are fully furnished and serviced, including cooking and eating materials.
The compound has a total of 39 housing units, with a mix of one (10 in total), two (19 in total) and four (10 in total) bedroom apartments. To date PINZ has signed a lease for 24 housing units based on availability, need and budget. A total of 14 housing units are reserved for the current 28 ESL trainers. All PINZ staff stays in the same compound on first arrival, and do so for the initial first three months. The head lease with the compound then allows for staff to move off-site, if they choose. If staff chooses to move off-site, they receive a paid accommodation allowance equal to 12% of their gross monthly salary, whereas if they stay on the Bin Jarbou compound the full cost of housing is provided by PINZ. The full cost of housing at Bin Jarbou exceeds the 12% accommodation subsidy.
Will SESP staff be the only residents at the compound, or will other firms be placing their personnel there also?
SESP staff will not be the only residents on the compound. Other tenants from other companies (largely government sector) will be staying, although many will be staying on a short-term/temporary basis and not long-term as is envisaged for SESP staff. Not all residents will be ‘westerners’, including from within the SESP team. SESP have five local admin staff who are Middle East nationals. Other non-SESP staff is likely to be either Saudi or Middle East nationals.
Are there any sport facilities at the Housing complex?
A pool complex, including a 20-meter swimming pool and a separate spa, is currently being built. Completion date is set for late 2012. The landlord has been asked to provide some gym equipment that will be situated in the pool complex.
What is the traveling time between the Housing complex and work? SESP provides group transportation (coach) for the staff to commute from the housing in Jazan to SESP in Baish. It is an approximate 45 min drive from point to point each way.
Staff is provided with a transport allowance, equal to 6% of their monthly base salary. They have the option of buying or leasing a vehicle in Jazan and/or using the group transport between home and work. Group transport is only being provided for travel between the housing complex and work, and is not being provided outside of working days. Pick-ups and drop-offs to staff staying outside of the housing complex are not provided.
3 Do I need a Saudi driver’s licence?
A valid Saudi driver’s licence will be required to buy a vehicle but this is possible only after the Iqama has been procured. In the meantime, an international drivers license valid for 12 months and/or your overseas license (depending on country of issuance) will be accepted by rental car companies should staff wish to lease a car on a short- or long- term basis.
What parking facilities are there at the Housing complex and at Baish work site?
There are secure car parks at the Bin Jarbou Housing complex. Car parking is also available for staff and visitors at the Baish site, although SESP cannot accept responsibility for damage or loss associated with vehicles parked on the site.
What happens if I have a car accident?
Should you be involved in an accident while driving a vehicle, you shall not admit liability and will obtain the name, address, registration number and insurance company of the other party, and, if possible, the name and address of any witnesses to the accident. SESP does not accept liability for any parking infringement or other traffic offences incurred as a result of illegal use of a vehicle.
What pre-departure expenses are covered? All staff will receive a relocation allowance (paid out in their first monthly pay once on the ground) that should cover all pre-departure expenses such as Visa approval, extra baggage, and post-arrival visa registration requirements.
What is a typical daily schedule? Working hours begin at 7:30 a.m. and end at 4:30 p.m., with a one-hour unpaid lunch break during noon prayer time. Teaching hours will start daily at 8:00 a.m. and end at 3:00 p.m. Computer lab hours will be scheduled based on the availability of the computer labs at each campus, or on classroom scheduling if all students have laptops or other devices from which they can access and use the on-line resources.
Who are the students?
The students are young Saudis, aged 16 – 18 years old. Students are non-employee trainees to SEC and are guaranteed a position with SEC after completion of the 2.5-year training program.
What is the students' attitude toward authority?
Students are generally very respectful, but often lack study skills such as time management, critical thinking and independent learning.
4 What are some of the challenges teachers may find with their students?
The biggest challenge lies in taking students who have been trained in a highly authoritarian school system, where memorization and examinations are all-important, and installing a new approach to learning. We want our students to become critical thinkers, take responsibility for their own education, and be independent learners. They also need to get used to group work and continuous assessment. It is a continuing challenge to get the students to work within an education system that is culturally different to the one that they have been brought up with.
What are Saudi students generally interested in compared to Western students?
Most students play computer games, have mobiles phones and like to surf the Internet. For some students music is forbidden, but many like modern music, either Arabic or Western. There are no cinemas, theatres, nightclubs or similar entertainment. Football (soccer) is a major interest and the students keenly follow local teams as well as the European teams. As for the students’ interest in their specific technical fields, it primarily arises from the need to get a job.
Are students very shy, or are they happy to talk when drawn out?
In general the students’ English is good, and they can be very charming and friendly especially if they are self-confident. Their ability to have a complex conversation is limited though, and this is something that the ESL trainers as well as technical instructors will be helping the students with.
How much English have students learned during their school experience?
Proficiency varies considerably with some students being able to speak only the most basic phrases and others able to participate in quite complex conversations. Although the students’ speaking skills may sometimes be good, their reading and writing skills can be very limited.
How motivated are the students?
Many students are motivated to study English. Often however, they have poor learning habits. It is SESP’s mission to develop critical thinking and learner responsibility among students in order to improve their study skills. The trainers and instructors are expected to assist students as much with motivation, time management, and learning strategies as with the language itself.
What kind of curriculum does the program have?
Wintec who takes a student-centred, communicative approach provides the ESL curriculum and the Technical Program curriculum.
5 What is the role of technology in this curriculum?
The English language program will use the Learning Management System Moodle. Moodle is used to make sure that assignments, feedback, assessments, and group discussions are organized to enable students and teachers to keep track of students’ progress, performance and task information. Teachers will need to become familiar with the Moodle system. Training modules will be provided and the Head of Department and the Team Leaders will serve as support.
Will I have my own private office space?
For most teachers you will share open plan office space with other teachers. Teachers have access to all normal equipment such as printers and copying machines.
Will I have a computer?
Desktop computers are available for teachers in the open plan offices. Computer labs are also available for the instructors' use, if the lab is empty.
Will I have access to e-mail and Internet from my office?
Yes. Technical support will also be available on campus.
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