Friday 30 January 2015

A Winner by Miles!

Well, the latest candidate to be added to the HCT Hall of Shame is the fine 'gentleman' pictured alongside ... Mr Rob Miles, the Head of English at HCT Sharjah!

According to my most recent intelligence report, he is an eager and willing clone of the infamous Dr ‘Evil’ Fareed. Rumor has it that he is also a very close friend of another favorite of this blog, 'Tiny' Tim Smith.

Apparently, morale hit rock bottom last semester, due to his absurd micromanaging practices, and there have been few, if any, improvements in the new year. One of his unfortunate victims has referred to him as a ‘backstabbing idiot’ – which is probably about par for most HCT Chairs and Supervisors!

Examples of his total lack of proper management skills include sending emails in capital letters (what?!?), patrolling the faculty area like a zombie security guard (get away!), sucking up to senior management (I’m SO surprised!), and generally making faculty lives a misery.

Even worse, the implementation of the IPads and Ebooks, designed to enhance the students’ learning, failed miserably as Micromanager Miles made all the decisions and did not heed the advice of the faculty, who warned him of the IPads’ limitations. As a result there was a 75% failure rate last year. 

So, welcome to these pages, Rob Miles!

31 comments:

Anonymous said...

Well, I'm shattered - and very surprised. Rob is a decent upstanding individual who will always do the 'right thing'.

Unless you offer him an alternative.

Anonymous said...

That 75% failure rate is probably an improvement, in the direction of reality!

Bravo Rob!

Now, if you can just stop being an asshole...

I would like to hear some reports on Emiratisation. How's that working out these days at the SHCT?

Anonymous said...

The lunatics are duly taking over the asylum...

Anonymous said...

So are they teaching?

I trust they have a good attitude regardless of what they are tasked with?

Any news on how many multiples of western salaries they are paid for many multiples less contribution?

Delma said...

That's some sharp irony there - I like it!

Anonymous said...

I learned that at the HCT! Bizzaroland, up is down and easy is hard!

Anyone who knows Farid, please take a moment and look up "Sultanism" - the manipulation therein describes his reign perfectly!

Faculty said...

Hey Rob, we hope you're having a really shitty weekend!
You've done it to us so many times, now it's your turn to suffer!
Fac.

BlackBerry said...

Rob Miles used to have the habit of insulting students in meetings to faculty. On many occasions he referred to them as 'animals', until he received a verbal warning from the director for professional misconduct.

The faculty member who had complained to the director about Miles' unprofessional behaviour later lost his job. How's that for ethical behaviour from a so called ethical employer?

Yes, that's HCT - where they NEVER practice what they preach!

Anonymous said...

Now come on, the students can be quite nice!

You know the HCT could be a good place to work given the resources. I think the biggest problem is that Emiratis aren't really running things. They are quite friendly usually, and I think they could be relatively just.

The big problem is putting the layer of other Arabs in the middle to run the westerners, such as the Palestinians like Farid, etc. Those guys have zero morals.

Dante's Inferno said...

You can find a 'glowing recommendation' for HCT Sharjah here:

http://www.glassdoor.com/Reviews/Employee-Review-HCT-RVW5000709.htm

Now, are you STILL thinking of applying to work here?!?

Anonymous said...

It is "glowing" if you just read between the lines! The writer is actually trying to praise the HCT!

Anonymous said...

Well, if that's praise, I would really hate/love to see the criticism!

Anonymous said...

HCT is the worst! The place needs a good cleaning from the top down.

Anonymous said...

Well, I mean "glowing" as in "radioactive"!

Anonymous said...

I would never use the word 'active' to refer to Emiratis - quite the opposite, in fact!

Anonymous said...

I've previously worked for HCT as faculty for over 10 years. A lot of it was fine because I didn't work at Sharjah or DWC.
Is there a blacklist operating in Central HR?
I've applied for a non-faculty job 3 times now for which I more than qualified and e.perienced yet within days get knocked back.

Anonymous said...

I worked at HCT RAKW/RAKM & ADWC for a total of 11 years, plus 4 years at the Uni in Al Ain. There is definitely a black list at Central Services. You may never know you're on it. It only takes a Supe/Chair, Dean or Director to get you listed. I was faculty but had several friends at Central Svcs and the blacklist is a fact. At this point, HCT is extremely toxic and I strongly recommend that you stay away. I am glad to be out of there - too bad because at one time it was very pleasant and rewarding. Not so now!

Anonymous said...

Better stay away from any of the HCT colleges at this point. The Dubai Colleges are the worst they have ever been, can't imagine the others being any better. Students are flocking to other unis or to unis in the UK, OZ, Canada, USA...the lucky ones I suppose can get away. Sad reality.

Shamal said...

I cannot believe that a former HCT employee is willing to venture back into the cesspit. 10 years ago the place was OK, but after the corrupt and incompetent Kamali took control, things started heading downhill very rapidly. I do not need to give examples, as this blog is full of them.

Now only the desperate and foolhardy would wish to work there. If this place is your last resort, go reconsider, as you will soon hate yourself for having been so stupid. Only ZU is worse!

Anonymous said...

Wow is ZU really worse now than the HCT? What a fall from grace!

What exactly happened at ZU? Did Kamali take over there too? Or was it his brother/cousin/son?

Suede Oasis said...

ZU scores 1.5 from 5 on Glassdoor. See here:

http://www.glassdoor.co.uk/Reviews/Zayed-University-Reviews-E423746.htm

Actually, I'm surprised it's so high!

Anonymous said...

Luckily I ran away to freedom during a holiday so I guess I don't have to ponder a return to the 'ol HCT!

Anonymous said...

it's not just the HCT / ZU / or UAEU .. the fix is in everywhere ... https://donotflyemirates.wordpress.com/

Anonymous said...

Anonymous 2/26

In my opinion, as a former HCT'er your post is the most important post here in the last three months.

I had no idea, but had an inkling as my HCT housing used to be near the Emirates housing in Dubai and I saw those staff around from time to time.

No kidding, just a week ago I almost recommended that my US students consider Emirates as a good first career step to see the world.

I am so happy I did not do so. I would never consider this again.

You truly have delivered some important info here.

You should also make sure that this HCT site is cross listed at the Emirates site.

Suede, can you make sure there is a prominent link? I'm sure you agree this is all part of the whole big picture?

Anonymous said...

I would never recommend HCT to anyone. Those who are left at HCT are just buying time until something else comes along. It is not that easy to leave if you have kids in school...the other half are just there and will always be there because they don't really qualify for any other job elsewhere, even in their home countries. The housing package is no longer competitive and there has not been a salary increase in years. It is becoming a dumping place for emiratis who are not employable anywhere else in the UAE as part of HCT's emiratization drive...even emiratis know this and this is what is keeping the good ones away from the place.

Anonymous said...

Dear All,

I am currently working for HCT. I am quite intrigued with all the "info" posted in this blog. Did you all read the latest?

Kamali has been given the boot.

I am still very interested in knowing who here is corrupt and requires me to give the new guy here incharge of Internal Audit an "anonymous tip" So far this guy appears to be legit and has delivered many of the things he has promised when he first joined late last year.

Anonymous said...

Kamali booted????!!!

I left HCT and never looked back a couple years ago. Never thought that crazy VC would be kicked out. Details please...

Anonymous said...

very hard to believe that he is finally out. What a blessing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Rob Miles and IPads........

It was a big bitch Jace Hargis who started this IPads and he got sacked immediately after the implementation.

Anonymous said...

I hear that Rob Miles' best chum, the loathsome 'Tiny Tim', has been axed at last. Any confirmations?

Fat Freddy said...

The latest on HCT Sharjah, according to Glassdoor.com

Pros

Faculty
Weather in winter
Sports facility
Students at higher level motivated

Cons

Management unsupportive
No chance of promotion
Poor working environment
Faculty low morale
Changing contract terms e.g. Salary and housing decreased.
Executive deans and deans will make your life a nightmare.
Emails in capital letters
Faculty verbally abused by management
Health problems you will develop some. High rate of cancer
Poor use of technology, over dependence on IPad

Advice to Management

Pointless as they are self serving

Sounds like a great place to waste your career!