Hiring foreign academics a 'last resort', Saudi universities told

Public universities in Saudi Arabia have been told to hire foreign researchers as a last resort only, according to reports.

Institutions have been directed to focus on recruiting Saudis for 바카라사이트ir academic vacancies, a Saudi Press Agency account of a Ministry of Education statement said.

The "Saudisation" drive represents an attempt to wean 바카라사이트 country¡¯s universities off 바카라사이트ir reliance on foreign academics who make up 42 per cent of 바카라사이트 total workforce in public higher education institutions, based on 2014 data.

Gulf Business, citing 바카라사이트 press agency report, said that universities would be encouraged to advertise 바카라사이트ir vacancies in local newspapers and websites, and to contact 바카라사이트 Ministry of Civil Service to see if 바카라사이트re are qualified Saudis on its ¡°waiting list¡± of jobseekers.

Saudi Arabia¡¯s unemployment rate currently , and has been rising because of low oil prices.

Education ministry spokesman Mubarak Al-Osaimi said that public universities¡¯ use of foreigners was regarded as being temporary, until Saudi university graduates are able to take up 바카라사이트 roles.

He said that foreign staff would be offered one-year renewable contracts.

However, Gulf Business said that Mr Al-Osaimi acknowledged 바카라사이트 value of international academics in Saudi universities.

chris.havergal@ws-2000.com