Saturday 11 October 2008

Sandy is getting desperate

John William Campbell does NOT exist. Sandy has sent me two fake CVs because he's desperate to stop me revealing his identity. Neither of the CVs are of real people. One was of a William Campbell. He has no link at all with Ireland or anything else we know about Sandy other than the Kasakhstan wife. He doesn't exist.

This is what was posted under ""Declan Madden, UAE"
Blogger Michael Flynn said...

England are playing Kazakhstan at football.
No prizes for guessing which team the McManus family will be supporting.

11 October 2008 15:43

Delete
Anonymous Anonymous said...

And just why should a Paddy support the bloody English?

11 October 2008 18:20

Delete
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Yeh, it's all happening here:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2008/oct/11/england-kazakhstan-minute-by-minute

Recognise one contributor?

11 October 2008 18:38

Delete
This is what was on the Guardian. It only proves that Sandy DOES have a contact at the Guardian and asked him/her to do him a favour by posting that comment as I am uncomfortably close to him.
It also proves that he is SO worried as to go to the time and effort to get people to believe that the William Campbell is supposedly Sandy. As if Sandy would be so crazy as to give his real name and bio and post it on a national newspapers website. One thing we all know about our bigot fron Derry is that he loves aliases.
You are a complete idiot Sandy if you think anyone would fall for that one. We know that you are Northen Irish and that your wife is from Kazakhstan but you are DEFINITELY not William Campbell.

Thursday 9 October 2008

The Irish Society Abu Dhabi UAE



I am looking for one of your members. Read this blog and find out why.

Declan Madden, UAE

I would like Declan Madden to give any information he may know about the identity of Sandy McManus.
Declan Madden works at HCT Abu Dhabi, he is Irish and likes football and golf.
There are enough links to this search to make you a prime candidate. If you are not Sandy McManus from Derry I think it probable that you know his identity. The same goes for James Ryan.

You can email Declan Madden at: declan.madden@hct.ac.ae
You can also contact James Ryan at : James.Ryan@hct.ac.ae



Derry City FC

Sandy McManus is definitely from Northern Ireland and is from Derry. He is a footie fan and his favourite club is Derry City FC.
Once I discovered that I realised that the Welsh stuff I'd been tipped off about was fiction and that my original profile about Sandy studying at Queen's University Belfast was accurate.
Nice try. I'm getting closer and closer you dunce.
I've left the Capital Languages stuff as it may be relevant.
A posting from Capital Languages would help.

Saturday 4 October 2008

Capital Languages London


Capital Languages Ltd.
4 Campbell Road
London E17 6RR
Telephone +44 (0)20 8520 5363
Email: info@capitallanguages.co.uk

Paul Fletcher and Lisa Harrington of Capital Languages should be able to shed light on the whereabouts of Sandy McManus aka Oliver Twist or Billy Bee.
What a coincidence that Capital Languages was formerly called "BE Languages" and prior to that "Twist Films".
Call them and ask them about their links to that racialist bigot Sandy McManus.
Could it be that, far from being the champion of the downtrodden EFL teacher, Sandy McManus' blogs have also been motivated by a desire to put the competitors out of business?
Give Paul and Lisa a call. I'm sure they will be happy to help.

Denis Regan

I would welcome any information concerning the whereabouts of a teacher of English called Denis Regan. Does he even exist?

Friday 3 October 2008

Sandy McManus & Death Threats

Following the death threats against PL a few new house rules are now in force :

  • Threats against PL will be removed.
  • Abusive comments will be removed.
  • Vulgar comments will be removed.
  • Racist comments will be removed.
  • Bigotry will be removed.
  • This list will be added to if needed

All offensive comments, including those already posted will be archived on a new blog as the objective of this blog is to find the identity of Sandy McManus and has nothing to do with PL. The new blog or cutting room floor is at:

http://thetefltradesman.blogspot.com/

Thursday 2 October 2008

Sandy McManus Wanted Urgently

Who is Sandy McManus?

The name is probably taken from Sandy (as in desert) and McManus from JP McManus the famous Irish Horse owner. Sandy must enjoy a flutter with Paddy Power (the bookies)

The latest profile:
  • Nationality: Irish Catholic, from Derry
  • Age: mid 40s
  • Studied at Queen's University Belfast and also took an MA in Applied Linguistics in Edinburgh.
  • Has a PGCE in FE.
  • Worked as an EFL teacher at a number of schools in England including a summer school on the south coast
  • Is married
  • His wife is from Kasaksthan
  • Has children
  • Worked for a number of years at HCT (Higher Colleges of Technology) in Abu Dhabi as a teacher of English.
  • He probably still lives in Abu Dhabi but may have moved to Dubai over the Summer
  • His IP addresses for HCT and Dubai are listed on this blog.
  • May possibly have a passion for Harley Davidson Motorbikes
Other observations:
He has a passion for literature and is very well read. The vulgar racialist bigot is probably not on public display and is a persona he uses on some of his blogs. He is capable of rational and articulate argument and his real life persona is probably completely different to his on-line persona.
He has ambitions to being a freelance journalist, whether on-line or in print and is capable of writing articulately and intelligently. The Sandy McManus persona that we know of on-line is probably a fictional character that he has invented.
The easiest way is to find an English teacher with a wife from Kazaksthan having lived in the United Arab Emirates for many years and you will have almost certainly found Sandy McManus.

Any information leading to a positive ID would be welcome. He has libelled with impunity, using many different aliases many people over the years and we want him to stop.

If the death threats posted on this blog are genuine it is important that he be located urgently.

Wednesday 1 October 2008

Death Threat


Posted by Anonymous. Shocking but it shows the kind of people I'm dealing with. Well if that happened at least we would have a prime suspect. Paying for a hit man would get you life anyway. This is the very last time I will say it. PL has absolutely nothing to do with the creation of this blog. I've never met him or spoken to him or emailed him.
You are all dunces and PL should avoid all contact with this blog and Sandy McManus as these kinds of death threats have to be taken seriously.

Friday 26 September 2008

What If?

I have said many times that I am NOT Paul Lowe.
Read the sick comments on this blog from the dunces who are convinced that I am.
What sort of people are they?
Not very nice is the answer and Sandy McManus is NOT fit to be a teacher in the UAE
This is why Sandy McManus must be exposed.
Just imagine. What if I am NOT Paul Lowe? Read the abuse directed at this man who has NOTHING to do with this blog. This shows how narrow minded vulgar and sick Sandy McManus is.
The United Arab Emirates should track him though his IP address and get rid of him.
He works in the UAE and yet he mocks you and insults you.
What if?

Sandy Mcmanus - Vulgar Uncouth Unacceptable English

I've just published 20 mostly sick comments from Sandy McManus, and his supporters.
They illustrate the reason for the existence of this blog's existence -which is finding our the real identity of Sandy McManus the racialist bigot from Northern Ireland.
Some of the comments are so vulgar I may have to remove them to another 18+ blog.
Watch this space.

Thursday 25 September 2008

English Language Schools in the UAE

Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi University
Al Worood School
American Community School
Berlitz UAE
British Council UAE
Direct English
ELS Language Centers
Emirates National School
Higher Colleges of Technology
Inlingua
International School of Choueifat
The British School Al Khubairat, Abu Dhabi
Zayed University

Al Ain

Al Ain English Speaking School
ELS Language Centers
Emirates International School
Global English School
Inlingua
International School of Choueifat

Dubai

Al Mawakeb School
Arab Unity School
Berlitz UAE
British Council UAE
Direct English
Dubai American Academy
Dubai College
Dubai English Speaking School
Dubai International Academy
Dubai International School
Dubai Modern Education School
ELS Language Centers
Eton Educational Institute
Horizon School Dubai
Inlingua
International House Dubai
International School of Choueifat
Jumeirah College
Jumeirah English Speaking School
Our Own English High School
Polyglot
Safa School
The American School of Dubai
The Apple International School
The Cambridge High School
The Emirates International School
The English College
The Modern High School
The Oxford School
The Westminster School
Zayed University

Kalba

English School of Kalba

Sharjah

American University
Berlitz UAE
British Council UAE
Inlingua
International Language Institute
Sharjah American International School
Sharjah English School
Victoria English School
Wesgreen International School

Tuesday 23 September 2008

Tefltradesman


Where has http://tefltradesman.blogspot.com gone?

Sandy The Racist Bigot - More Examples

ESOL vs EFL

Even when trying to be serious this guy offends people. This is taken from "dogme" on Yahoo, a serious forum for English Language Teaching. Read how even they criticize his racist rudeness. Sandy thinks that ''there are no stupid comments, there are only stupid reactions''. Wow!

..........It is rude through-and-through and I am honestly appalled that it is at all defended by others. We can discuss anything (including dogme, of which there is less of recent) but shouldn't we do it in a civilised manner? a list where members call others stupid is not provocative, it is just uncouth

Re: [dogme] Re: ESOL vs EFL

Actually, Zosia, I did reply to your message - but it got 'deleted' en route by the Dogme Gatekeepers (who will probably delete this one too, which is why I'm sending it to you personally as well as to the list).
A
This was the message...
A
''there are no stupid comments, there are only stupid reactions'' ... and your reaction proves the point, to some degree. Actually I find your dull cliche a little too much for me, together with ''everyone is different therefore there cannot be the same end result for everyone", which is equally nonsensical. Yes, we are all different in that we are not mere clones of each other, but we all manage to walk, eat, sleep, and communicate in a broadly similar fashion, and the result is broadly the same - a human society.
A
I think all Teflers should be obliged to take a course in logic or critical thinking before entering a classroom. They would then see that most of the unsubstantiated statements that pass for wisdom in teaching are nothing but short-cuts to sloth and the abandonment of common-sense.
A
Who luvs ya baby!!?
A
SM

In retrospect I feel it did perhaps appear a little too mocking for the thin-blooded censors, and maybe they were right to kick it into touch. I did not mean to mock in an ad hominem style, but I guess that's how it came across - for which I apologise.
A
Actually, I don't think I accused anybody of 'being stupid', but rather I voiced my dismay at the apparent stupidity of some people. We are all capable of being stupid at times; but it's different to say 'he is being stupid' instead of 'he is stupid', don't you agree? Or am I the stupid one - sorry, the one who's being stupid?!?
A
SM


Try ... the wonderful world of TEFL!

http://tefltradesman.blogspot.com

--- On Tue, 8/7/08, pannazosia@
Subject: Re: [dogme] Re: ESOL vs EFL
To: dogme@yahoogroups.com
Date: Tuesday, 8 July, 2008, 5:37 PM

I have reread Sandy's posting about stupidity and I disagree with your evaluation, Diarmuid. It is rude through and through and I am honestly appalled that it is at all defended by others. We can discuss anything (including dogme, of which there is less of recent) but shouldn't we do it in a civilised manner? a list where members call others stupid is not provocative, it is just uncouth. Incidentally, why did Sandy answer all other postings but mine? why didn't he defend his "provocatice manner"? Perhaps he feels my postings horrendously stupid? personally, I would be proud if that were the case.

Zosia

dogme@yahoogroups.com:

As usual, Dennis, we are in agreement about more than might appear. I know what you mean entirely, and I understand perfectly why you wrote. However, I don't think Sandy's barbed criticisms should be taken Overly seriously. He writes that he is happy to be proven a fool, and I think that there are several ways of responding to that. Personally, I think that anybody should be happy to be proven a fool, but that's probably Bakhtin talking.

I like this group because, from time to time, the group gets to argue about how it moderates itself. That can only be a healthy thing. I agree that racist and sexist tripe is unwelcome here, but believe that it is better to confront it directly rather than ban it. My enemies say I'm a liberal...As for unsolicited advertising, Yahoogroups is awash with it!

I don't think Sandy was being rude, as such. I think that Sandy is a persona who believes that he can speak great truths in a provocative manner. At times he may be right. I don't think he was this time. I maintain that it is quite right to take testing to task because the premise that it is fair to test everyone using the same test fails to take into account that there are many ways to skin a cat. As I hinted before, I think that Derek Rowntree has much more interesting proposals to consider.

Diarmuid

--- In dogme@yahoogroups.com, "Dennis Newson" wrote:

Diarmuid,
I hadn't really got the assessment issue in mind, I was thinking more of the issue of being rude to people who have sent messages. As for not having guidelines for what goes and what doesn't I'm as against rules for a list as I am against teaching grammar rules, but I still think there are a few things one can frown on severely - racism, sexism, un-sanctioned advertising.

Dennis


Sunday 21 September 2008

Stress Management in the UAE Dubai Carole Spiers

Sandy. This is possibly the same Carole who offered you such good advice.
I don't know whether she is or is not the same Carole but she can certainly help you.

Her website is: www.carolespiersgroup.co.uk/dubai.html

Matt Salusbury EL Gazette TEFL Muckraker

Matt Salusbury, freelance sleaze TEFL journalist and now news and features editor of the EL gazette. Or should we say Matty the Muckraker? I wondered when you would appear Matt.

You don't care where your dirt comes from do you. Your association with that twisted creature Sandy McManus shows that you're no better than he is.

Sandy boasted that Paul Lowe was now in the bed and breakfast business and mentally ill. Well is he or isn't he? You should know.

So now that makes three dunces. Sandy, Alex and Matt. You've got the wrong guy and I am now starting to feel sorry for Paul Lowe.

Paul Lowe, if you are reading this you will be happy to hear that I now know Sandy's exact home address in Dubai.

You should update your information Matty as I read this on the web:

Matt Salusbury Says:
June 16, 2008 at 2:05 pm

Stumbled across the posting about the EL Gazette editorial on Sandy McManus’ Tefltrade blog. While it’s not on EL Gazette yet, it’s on my own blog at http://mattsmattsalusbury.blogspot.com/2008/05/so-farewell-then-tefltradecom.html
Sandy’s blog seems to be back from the dead, and the new version of Tefltrade.com is linked from my blog entry.

Matt Salusbury
News and Features Editor
EL Gazette


UPDATE: The new Tefltrade blog has now been deleted. Sandy didn't survive very long did he.

P.S. Where has Shaunie the sewer rat gone or was he just a Sandy alias after all?

This was posted in answer to a comment by Matt made below.

Wednesday 17 September 2008

Dr. Kamali - A Great Leader

Thanks to Carole for this which she put as a comment on the Billy Bee article, where he libels Dr Kamali.........

"Whenever any individual or group of persons attempt to do great things, there most often appears an equal amount of resistance and criticism.

I have met with Dr. Kamali and with those who know him well. I found him to be genuine, intelligent and personal. I agree that there are many challenges in the UAE. However, these challenges are similar to those we are facing around the world in the area of education. There are many initiatives being implemented in primary education to prepare Emirates for higher education as well as, prepare them for the workforce.


Billy Bee you are obviously an educator who can identify problems and challenges. You could be helping to find solutions. Help the students to become successful rather than criticizing and labeling them. Be the change that you would like to see. Communicate with Dr. Kamali about your concerns. Come up with some ideas that might bring about changes you think are important.

As for Dr. Kamali, I admire him and the work he has done and continues to do in the face of great challenge.

Carole"

Friday 12 September 2008

Alex Case - TEFL Hero?

"Talking of barking up the wrong tree, does that mean you were making exactly the kind of false accusations you have been accusing Sandy of in your first few posts? If so, surely a retraction and apology to whoever Mr Kerr is is in order" Alex Case

I'd love to hear from David Kerr Alex.

Why hasn't Silly Billy Bee told him?

Tough one that? Dunno innit er wot no "mate". Even Shaun the Yawn can work that one out, so why ask AC ? Or should I refer to you as NC (Nutcase)? After even more publicity Alex? Well you've got it.

All I can hear from Sandy though is deafening silence. Your vulgar racialist bigot is now cowering and hiding in some hole, scared stiff. Bullies need people like you Alex Case. A bully on his own has no audience, is starved of oxygen and shuts up. You publicise and give credibility to Sandy and are therefore equally culpable.


What a coincidence that the one and only MR ALEX CASE (take a bow Alex) posted that comment. I've been thinking a lot about you lately and will no doubt find time to deal with you later. I assume you've now left Shane schools in Japan and are feeling nicely pompous in some Korean language school.

I suppose you are the same as Sandy. You are both losers and this "hero" role makes you both feel big and full of self-importance. How do you think Dave Sperling felt when Sandy described him as a "Yiddo". I'd call that sick and anyone who supports or finds that funny as equally sick no matter what your faith.

Sadly, I don't think you're a TEFL hero Alex , unlike the stupid moron who wrote the rubbish below does. You are unfortunately part of the problem. It is Alex isn't it? You found Billy Bee, Dr Kim and the totally warped Shaunie characters funny, you admired Sandy McManus and are a pathetic creature for supporting such a slime bag. Stick to grammar and keep your nose out of the sewer.

Is this is the kind of moronic drivel you support? ........

"Fledgling EFL bloggers like me who are interested in good EFL blogging will probably keep coming up against 2 names - Sandy McManus and Alex Case. So who’s the best?.............

I’ve never laughed out loud more often than when reading this blog. Sandy can be cruel but by ‘eck he’s funny. His searing invective can leave you breathless and desperately trying to stitch your sides back together. This blog is more concerned with exposing TEFL shysters and the ridiculous side of the business. Pretentious DoSs, dictator owners and crap teachers all get both barrels in these posts, but it’s sooooooo funny. The more so for experienced teachers who, like him, have been around the block a few times. Sandy is just as seasoned and qualified as Alex and what he needs to do is somehow import his old posts into the archives of his new one so that new bloggers don’t miss out on the posts of the past. Not to do so would be a great shame.

What made his original blog unique I thought was this weird cast of characters who added their comments. I hope some of them return. With names like Shaun Ryder, Dr Kim and various others, the comments and his retorts were sometimes as funny as the blogs…

So what’s the verdict in the battle of the bloggers. Perhaps you can let me know. From what I can tell, they both admire each other. I’d have it an honourable draw, but to be honest it’s not really comparing like with like. There are some very funny efl blogs out there now - but to pretenders to Sandy's throne - and perhaps in his words - they can F*** 0ff!"



Thursday 11 September 2008

Sandy Barks Up the Wrong Tree

This comment was left and is from the ex boss of ELSE. Not one of your admirers Sandy. I kept telling you he had nothing to do with this but you would not believe me.
If Paul Lowe or anyone else wants to expose Silly Billy Bee just post and request that it not be published. We'd like to hear from you all.

"Having left efl six months ago (thank God and for good), I don't take much notice of that dull world, however I did come across this never ending spat yesterday. How small-minded and provincial is EFL!
I don't know who SM is and I don't care. He is a nasty-minded criminal liar or someone with serious problems and whoever is on his trail, I hope you get him sacked, but then again in the grown up world, it is of no real import.
Well, yours happily growing tomatoes and bringing inventions to market in Suffolk, "ex-boss of ELSE"

Wednesday 10 September 2008

Hide and Seek.

All his nasty little blogs have apparently gone.
He apparently will be making a return soon. Either idle bragging or real. Who can guess.
The various names posted here by him do not exist.
Sorry Sandy, I'm still here and will find out who and where you are whether you like it or not.
Not until your true identity is revealed will you stop libelling people.
I'd dig deep into your fox hole. You are going to need a very deep one.

I'll count to ten to give a chance to hide.

Monday 1 September 2008

Message to Sandy


Keep to your side of the bargain?
Nice work of fiction you sent me.
What happened to the original scans?
Got lost in the post?
Not smart Sandy McManus.
Watch this space....................


Sunday 31 August 2008

A Busy Bee desperately trying to cover his Tracks

BillyBee has changed his picture and location on Dave's Cafe. He has also replaced all the incriminating articles by a text in Gaelic. Instead of The Great Sandpit he now calls his location The Gulf Club!

Unfortunately for Billy Google keeps a cache of postings. Do a search on "Tubby Camel HCT eslcafe" and compare the cache with the new version.

Here is the original version. 

Here is the hastily edited version. The dates and times are the same, only the content has been removed (maybe you really are from Kilkenny after all!) and the picture of Billy Bunter has naturally been replaced by a less mocking picture.

I wonder why you removed all the offensive postings if you had nothing to hide!

Dr Tayeb Kamali Vice Chancellor of The Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT)

Dr. Tayeb Kamali is Vice Chancellor of The Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT), United Arab Emirates. The HCT is a national system of 12 colleges providing post secondary education to young UAE National men and women.

He is also President and CEO of the Centre of Excellence for Applied Research and Training (CERT), Abu Dhabi. CERT is the entrepreneurial arm of the HCT. CERT connects the HCT with the nation's business and commercial community. CERT is a Technology Park, a Research Centre, a Continuing Education Centre, and a source of innovation and new ideas.

In addition to being a Board Member of the WFCP, Dr. Kamali is also affiliated to the following organizations:
- Chairman of the Board, CERT Thales Institute
- Chairman of the Board, Emirates Driving Company
- Founding Chair of 'e-ducation Without Borders' World Forum
- Board Member of the Leadership Chair Academy - Maricopa Community Colleges, Arizona, USA
- Board Member of the Future Centre, Abu Dhabi - Centre for Special Needs Children
- Institutional Member of the International Association of Science Parks
- Associate of the International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences

Contact details:

Email: kamali@hct.ac.ae Website: www.hct.ac.ae

I don't think Dr. Tayeb Kamali would like the comments posted by one of his employees and will be able to easily trace the insolent teacher of English who made them. The dates and times of the postings under the "Billy Bee" section will make it easy to track who was using the HCT computers at those times to post to Dave's ESL cafe.

This is the disrespectful and libelous tone to which Dr. Tayeb Kamali is referred by "Billy Bee" on Dave's ESL Cafe.

Posted: Mon Apr 07, 2008 3:01 pm Post subject: Tubby the Great One 
There are no management problems at HCT. The only problems are the teachers themselves. Tubby the Kamel is Our Great Leader, also known as The Wise One. He alone is capable to sort out all those bolshy teachers, who will find themselves banished to teaching on Diploma Foundations forever, at some remote corner of the HCT empire. Tubby won't actually fire them, because hiring new ones will involve more expense. Or then again, maybe he will? Who can tell what is in the mind of Our Great Leader (Praise Be Upon Him)?

Billy Bee


Here is another abusive posting by the same person:

Location: The Great Sandpit

Posted: Thu Feb 28, 2008 3:54 pm Post subject: Q&Q 
I think this is a repeat of the 'Quantity versus Quality' argument that probably gets aired at the Higher Education Ministry every year or so.

There is a story that every year a huge kerfuffle takes place regarding the poor quality of the graduates. There is then a move to cap the number of students, effectively keeping out the dross and focusing on properly educating those bright ones. Good move, eh?!

However, come August, some of the influential Sheikhs start rattling their sabres, because their dim boss-eyed offspring can't get a place to study, and what are we gonna do with poor little Mahra (and Hamda, and Sara, etc...)? So all the numbskulls get put onto Foundations Courses to teach them how to tell the time and do colouring-in on the computers.

If they bothered to educate their offspring properly in the first place, from Primary level up, this would not take place. But nobody listens. And so the charade continues. Pitiful, eh?!

Billy Bee


You will be looking for someone (probably from Ireland or Northern Ireland) who has been working for you for 7 or eight years probably in Abu Dhabi (you have the IP address below). He probably has an MA from Edinburgh and a PGCE in Further Education. He is probably married and his wife may be from Kazaksthan and working as a teacher. He has at least two children and may have recently moved to Dubai.

He has been spreading his hatred now for many years attacking anyone he could. This time unfortunately he has chosen you as a target and ridiculed the good name of HCT.

Please help us to find him.

Saturday 30 August 2008

The TEFL Tradesman - ISP

The TEFL Tradesman is now at:

IP: 195.229.235.41
Dubai United Arab Emirates

He was until recently at:
IP: 194.170.32.253
HCT (Higher Colleges of Technology) in Abu Dhabi.

Friday 29 August 2008

Conspiracy Theory?

Alex Case comments " Really can't think of any reason, not even a conspiracy theory, of why you wouldn't do the contacting yourself."

Imagine the existence Alex of an email list of say 150 + easily identifiable people "mates" of Billy Bee a lot of whom are well known. I was floored to see so many many people who were posting messages of support for this worthless creature without the knowledge of their bosses.

Unfortunately for Billy (and his readers) the list has come my way. Not everyone is identifiable but a lot of people are and there are some big surprises on it. 

You all know who you are. Billy is not acting alone. There are journalists, schools, publishers, respected publications, school directors etc. This bigot has quite an audience.

Oh and Billy you are so stupid. Have you never heard of Vidalia? Look it up even though it's a little late as I already have all your IP addresses.

You silly Billy wanting to tell everyone about my IP address and boast how clever you'd been. For someone who boasts of connections at The Guardian etc., you are a total jerk.

Michael Flynn was only ever looking in one place (Zayed University) and the fact you noticed proves the connection. I needed you to confirm it and you obliged.

Stop threatening, Paul Lowe and leave the guy at the East London School of English alone.

You really are barking up the wrong tree.

As I've told you, I'm a lot closer than you think.

Sunday 24 August 2008

Billy Bee (or you know who)

What a silly Billy to post on Dave's ESL Cafe. The list will be tidied up when I've time and put into a more coherent order but take a look at the postings. Billy Bee as you can see left HCT this year and now works for Zayed University as stated above. This guy just can't keep quiet. Lots of nice leads here and I'm sure HCT would not be impressed to read what he has to say about them.

The email addresses above should be used to inform the abuse department at HCT. I doubt Zayed University would be too happy with their new recruit either.

Thanks Billy.

HCT Workload
Joined: 30 Mar 2005
Posts: 44
Location: The Great Sandpit

PostPosted: Thu Jul 24, 2008 7:37 am Post subject: Reply with quote
If you get a good timetable, you can be in at 8 A.M. and out by 2 P.M. Pay no attention to the rubbish about being tied to your desk for eight hours per day. Nobody at my college ever does that - except the brown-nosers, of course.

Here's a tip - never switch off your computer, and leave a jacket or jumper on the back of your chair. And never tidy your desk or say goodbye when you leave for the day.

Well, it's worked for me - for the past seven years, anyway!!


BillyBee



Joined: 30 Mar 2005
Posts: 44
Location: The Great Sandpit

PostPosted: Sat Mar 01, 2008 5:52 pm Post subject: TeflTrade no more? Reply with quote
Am I the only one to have noticed that Sandy McManus, the apparently disgruntled EFL teacher behind TeflTrade and Sandy's UK TEFL Blog, has thrown in the towel?

Go pay your respects here, if you wish.

http://tefltrade.blog-city.com


FatFreddieFoxx
Joined: 17 Apr 2008
Posts: 10
Location: Skidrow-on-Sea

PostPosted: Tue May 13, 2008 4:41 pm Post subject: Sandy Reply with quote
I think you'll find the incorrigible Tefl-basher has resurfaced here...

http://tefltradesman.blogspot.com

Long may he live amongst us!!


ZU Payrise - not for foreigners!!BillyBee
BillyBee



Joined: 30 Mar 2005
Posts: 44
Location: The Great Sandpit

PostPosted: Wed Aug 20, 2008 2:42 pm Post subject: ZU Payrise - not for foreigners!! Reply with quote
Yes, it would seem that the ZU chancellor, Dr S al-J, has expressed his thanks to his hardworking foreign faculty by awarding them a measly 5% payrise. Meanwhile, Emirati faculty will get a rather more impressive 28% extra in their pay-packets. Cool, eh?!

Quite how this fine example of financial racism will go down at the ZU campus is not too clear yet. We are awaiting comments from ZU faculty - if they haven't handed in their notice yet. According to yesterday's copy of The National newspaper, the chancellor was unavailable for comment on his shrewd move. Maybe he's been sacked already for this enormous blunder?!

You can read the full article here:

http://thenational.ae/article/20080818/NATIONAL/937585280/0/PAGETHREE

Meanwhile, I have informed my contacts at The Guardian and the Times Higher Education Supplement of this example of blatant racism in the field of education. I mean, it's not as if the locals are even worth the extra 20-odd percent, is it?!?! Hopefully, a bit of world-wide coverage (and global humiliation) will force ZU to back down - something they are quite good at, so I hear.

Now come on, you ZU academics - let us know what you're thinking and planning right now!

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globalnomad2



Joined: 23 Jul 2005
Posts: 542

PostPosted: Wed Aug 20, 2008 4:36 pm Post subject: Reply with quote
Such a move would also seriously jeopardize accreditation in the U.S. Since ZU is accredited by one of the US accrediting agencies (Middle States), you should forward your concerns to them as well. Get ZU unaccredited or at least put on probation.
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BillyBee



Joined: 30 Mar 2005
Posts: 44
Location: The Great Sandpit

PostPosted: Wed Aug 20, 2008 4:38 pm Post subject: Good news! Reply with quote
Very good news indeed! A contact of mine in the (inter)national UK press is very interested in the story. However, they need some sort of proof of the details before committing themselves to print.

So, if a ZU inmate would like to PM me, and supply a copy of the e-mail sent out advising of the payrises, and the discrepancies of course, I would be very grateful.

I'm waiting for you!! I can't help you further without this piece of information.

Billy Bee

PS: Bad news travels fast. I just found this on ZU's Wikipedia entry...

CONTROVERSY Zayed University has recently come under fire for allegedly implementing a divisive pay policy. According to the UAE newspaper The National on August 19, 2008, local Emirati staff are to receive a 28% pay award, whereas foreign faculty will only receive 5%. The response to this has been, predictably, one of outrage, and many observers have reported that the university's vice-president, Dr Al-Jassim, will soon be removed after such a large gaffe.

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uaeobserver
Joined: 05 Feb 2007
Posts: 108
PostPosted: Thu Aug 21, 2008 2:08 pm Post subject: Reply with quote
Whoever made that entry in Wikipedia should realize that Etisalat has records of every link --- made by every computer terminal in the country --- and that tracking entries like this is child's play.

The UAE is a generally open and tolerant country, in my experience. I personally suspect whoever made that entry, though --- is dancing on a very thin line.

Joined: 16 Apr 2004
Posts: 67



Joined: 17 Jul 2006
Posts: 123
PostPosted: Sat Aug 23, 2008 1:50 pm Post subject: Reply with quote
Presumably it's also racist offering housing allowances, air tickets and school fees to foreigners.

Why not opt to go onto Emirati staff terms and conditions?
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Tumblashu's parents



Joined: 09 Jul 2008
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Joined: 23 Jul 2005
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PostPosted: Sat Aug 23, 2008 8:09 pm Post subject: Reply with quote
So it's a good point, is it? All right, then let management simply stop offering housing and school fees. Then settle back and see how many Westerners they can hire to teach classes and run things for them. Fine--let the Emiratis educate themselves and do their own work.
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tmac-100



Joined: 23 Nov 2006
Posts: 58
PostPosted: Sun Aug 24, 2008 10:32 am Post subject: Reply with quote
So it is OK to be racist - as long as it does not negatively impact on westerners (aka whites)??

Wow, THAT is a real quantum jump in logic.


Joined: 30 Mar 2005
Posts: 44
Location: The Great Sandpit

PostPosted: Thu Jul 24, 2008 7:32 am Post subject: Dress Code 007 Reply with quote
Rumour has it that in order to attract a more relaxed type of teacher, one that will work for peanuts (a.k.a Tefl Tourists), HCT has revamped its dress code. The new orthodoxy is beach wear for men and women, with either open-toed-sandals or flip-flops quite acceptable. Ridiculous headgear is an optional extra, though, and tattoes (on women) and body piercings (on men) are still frowned upon. Except for management positions, of course...

Hey, don't laugh - THIS IS ABSOLUTELY TRUE!!


HCT RECRUITING
BillyBee



Joined: 30 Mar 2005
Posts: 44
Location: The Great Sandpit

PostPosted: Thu Jul 24, 2008 7:26 am Post subject: Peanuts for Monkeys Reply with quote
Yes, I reckon you're right, MM. A couple of my pals applied for jobs at the HCT last year, but pulled out after getting the job offer, as they received better offers from Hong Kong. So HCT are probably now taking a look at the rest of the pile of applicants, not just the top ten percent.

This is the problem that HCT faces now - getting quality teachers for mediocre salaries. Unless they raise their cash incentives to match those of other educational institutes in the world (by about 50% in my opinion), they'll always find problems in recruiting.

MAG THE REAL STORY

BillyBee



Joined: 30 Mar 2005
Posts: 44
Location: The Great Sandpit

PostPosted: Sat Jun 28, 2008 5:00 pm Post subject: Reply with quote
Hilarious stuff!! Oh if only it weren't true, though! Please PM me the names and numbers of these loonies so that I can interview them for a UK teaching magazine. PLEASE!!

On a more general note, one thing about EFL teaching that surprises me in particular is that there is an unhealthy insistence on 'correct' methods, and if your supervisor doesn't approve of yopur particular classroom style and approach, you'll be given a hard time.

Let's face it, if the students pass at the end of the year, and the grades they get are similar to the grades they got the year before, who's to say that one method is better than another? It's plainly ridiculous.

I had a similar case back home several years back - an unqualified 'academic manager' who had taken a dislike to me and thought she would try and demolish me in the observed lesson feedback. Fortunately I had suspected this, that she would give me a rough ride whatever I did, and I was well prepared - very well prepared indeed.

Needless to say, SHE was the one who emerged from the meeting crying!!


BillyBee


HCT FINAL SETTEMENT
Joined: 30 Mar 2005
Posts: 44
Location: The Great Sandpit

PostPosted: Tue Jun 24, 2008 9:01 am Post subject: Reply with quote
New HR Policy on 'terminations' is as follows...

End of Service Payment Calculations

On conclusion of the employment with the HCT, for all cases of termination/ resignation/ non-renewal of contract by the employee or by HCT, the end of service payment shall be calculated as on the last working day of the employee with the HCT. All compensation and benefits payments and / or deduction shall be calculated as on the last working day.

Which basically means that, even if the contract states that your final day is the end of July, you won't be paid for those remaining six weeks. Your last day at college is now your last day for pay - so no holiday pay?!


THE TEFL PROFESSION
BillyBee



Joined: 30 Mar 2005
Posts: 44
Location: The Great Sandpit

PostPosted: Mon Feb 04, 2008 8:29 am Post subject: Reply with quote
BELS, it's a complete waste of time trying to make a living from TEFL in the UK, so don't even bother trying. I know because I was in a similar position and tried it several years back, and since then salaries for teaching EFL have either gone down or stagnated at best!

It's Ok if just one of you teaches EFL, using it to provide a second income, but nothing more. As you rightly noted, it's not a profession, more of a sweatshop, with low wages and limited job security. It sucks, in other words!

In that case, you're best to turn your back on the UK completely, as I did, and head for the Gulf. If you have the right qualifications (minimum PGCE or Diploma), you can earn about 2000 quid a month for starters, plus there are a load of benefits such as free accommodation and paid school fees for the kids.

These are the proper colleges and universities I'm talking about, typically in the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait, even Oman (best to avoid Saudi, for obvious reasons). There are plenty of private language schools and other 'business colleges' too, but these are only useful as a 'stepping stone' to a better position, being poorly run and equipped.

That's what I recommend you do. Give it some real thought. The UAE is the most liberal of the above countries, with Qatar a close second, in my opinion. Your wife won't be forced to stay at home all day, wear a headscarf, or only travel with a chaperone. She can even work!

Do some research on the web, and you'll be sure to find something - I know you will, as there are many teachers here who share similar situations. Or just PM me and ask your questions!

HCT MANAGEMENT PROBLEMS

BillyBee



Joined: 30 Mar 2005
Posts: 44
Location: The Great Sandpit

PostPosted: Mon Apr 07, 2008 3:01 pm Post subject: Tubby the Great One Reply with quote
There are no management problems at HCT. The only problems are the teachers themselves. Tubby the Kamel is Our Great Leader, also known as The Wise One. He alone is capable to sort out all those bolshy teachers, who will find themselves banished to teaching on Diploma Foundations forever, at some remote corner of the HCT empire. Tubby won't actually fire them, because hiring new ones will involve more expense. Or then again, maybe he will? Who can tell what is in the mind of Our Great Leader (Praise Be Upon Him)?

BillyBee


The 70% - The facts
Joined: 30 Mar 2005
Posts: 44
Location: The Great Sandpit

PostPosted: Wed Jan 16, 2008 5:17 pm Post subject: Reply with quote
More facts:

1. There ain't gonne be no pay rise - not now, nor next year!
2. School fees are due to rise by double-figures percentages, but there'll be NO increase to help teachers cope with it - and that's VERY official.
3. Gas prices will rise too - probably doubling in a year.
4. The time to get out of the UAE / HCT etc., is now - before you sign on for another three years of DEFINITELY WORSENING CONDITIONS!
5. Don't say you weren't warned!

BillyBee


BillyBee



Joined: 30 Mar 2005
Posts: 44
Location: The Great Sandpit

PostPosted: Mon Mar 17, 2008 3:47 pm Post subject: HCTs gagging order Reply with quote
Big news today is that HCT staff have been prohibited from speaking to the media. Apparrently, certain staff members have been 'tapped up' by the newspapers and radio, etc, in an effort to get news about HCT. It's more likely, of course, that the teachers went to the media, rather than the other way round, but ... who knows?

What could the media possibly be interested in? HCT's wonderful VC and his much-admired management style? Several supervisors have been either fired or downgraded recently, so it could be a case of sour grapes.

Or maybe it's the teachers, who also have a serious grievance. Many of them have refused to renew their contracts, and with good reason too. New staff were employed at 'enhanced' starting rates in September, due to the difficulty HCT found in finding the numbers of teachers to replace those who took part in the 'Great Exodus' last year.

You might think that the management would offer suitably 'enhanced' contracts for staff renewing their contracts this year, wouldn't you? Well, think again - this is HCT! It only offered the normal increments, meaning that teachers with, for example, four years experience at HCT, would actually be earning LESS money than those with one year of experience!!

And who is responsible for this exemplery case of college management shooting itself in the foot? Look no further than - the VC!

So, don't go gossipping to the press, will you? And keep away from this forum too!

Ooh, err...!!

BillyB

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Hct contract renewals

BillyBee



Joined: 30 Mar 2005
Posts: 44
Location: The Great Sandpit

PostPosted: Thu Apr 10, 2008 4:19 pm Post subject: HCT Contract Renewals Reply with quote
Many of us here at HCT are in the same somewhat precarious boat concerning our contract renewals - i.e., we're still waiting for news!

In the past, all contract renewals were done and dusted by early March at the latest. This year, however, there is as yet no sign of that slip of paper - although the management has, of course, given a handful of unconvincing reasons for the delay.

However, what does seem clear from recent management smoke signals this year is this - contract renewals will depend on teachers being 'flexible' on their placement venue!

So, expect to find yourself re-allocated to Ruwais or Madinat Zayed. Any refusal of their generous offer will be interpreted as insubordination by HCT VC Tubby the Camel, and will involve termination of your contract - yes, the one you just refused.

As we all know, any termination like that means a loss of your gratuity - which could be substantial for some of those 'old-timers' who have been here since the 1990s.

Some offer, eh? Some management style!

BillyBee



Joined: 30 Mar 2005
Posts: 44
Location: The Great Sandpit

PostPosted: Fri Apr 11, 2008 3:59 pm Post subject: smart arses?! Reply with quote
SIA may well be quick off the mark with his smart-arse comments, but at least they are amusing and contain a seed of truth. In contrast, VS just rolls out the usual tired cliches in support of the status quo, and from the perspective of somebody who has never had to worry about anyone but herself - typical spoilt selfish yankee, I'd say!

Fact is, I have stated that I wish to renew my current contract at the college where I currently work. To offer me a contract at another place is not ethical, and impractical for my purposes. Living in the desert, my wife loses her job here in the city, and where do I get my kids educated?

VS, as you've been out of the loop for so long, you probably don't know that HCT now expects its teachers to offer one academic year as notice. Leaving in the middle of the academic year is now not allowed. That would entail me living in the desert for a year, probably sending my wife and kids home, and living all by myself. Not really attractive at all.

Unless, of course, you'd like to come and share my life for a year, eh?!

BillyBee



Joined: 30 Mar 2005
Posts: 44
Location: The Great Sandpit

PostPosted: Mon Mar 24, 2008 6:02 pm Post subject: Paul Lowe, Windsor Schools Reply with quote
I'm copying this from another EFL forum...

The latest I've heard on Paul Lowe and Windsor Schools is this:

It is Easter and Lowe and behold, the lowest of the Lowe as he is known (sources will NOT be named so don’t push me) has apparently been carted off to the local hospital for trying to TOP HIMSELF!!

Let us all hope for the sake of what’s left of the TEFL Industry there is NO resurrection!

And this it seems is not all, as sources close to the old viper say that he has been on antidepressants for YEARS and his "I’m right about everything" stance and pomposity is really just a front for the coward and a liar that he is!

The Lowe-Life is in RIGHT STATE according to the inside sources and the Lowe clan are a’ weeping and a’ wailing at his bedside - HAHA!!

Credit where credit is due, as the SOURCE says the NOBLE LAIRD OF LARD [TEFL Blacklist] is his top enemy and the one that really gets him foaming at the mouth!! Only a close SECOND is Lord ALEX of CASE- BLESS HIS GOLDEN TEFL LOYAL HEART!!

So let's strike while the iron is hotter than a tart's phone on a Stag Night and stick the boot in lads!

I know it sounds a bit harsh but the old f**er deserves everything he gets!

THE TEFL-Lad

I've idea who this 'Tefl-lad' is, but he appears to be close to the source. Can anyone else corroborate his assertions?

If PL is ineed in hospital after attempting to commit suicide, I feel very sorry for him. Clearly he needs help, and I hope he is able to recognise that now, and that he gets it.

Either way, it's certainly a case of 'Game Over', I feel...

BillyBee



Joined: 30 Mar 2005
Posts: 44
Location: The Great Sandpit

PostPosted: Thu Feb 28, 2008 5:59 pm Post subject: Reply with quote
If you quit during your probationary year, you're buggered, financially speaking. You'll get no 'gratuity' (month's salary), and will have to repay most of the 30,000 smackers they gave you to furnish your apartment.

So, financially, it's better to just 'disappear' one night - if you feel morally comfortable with that, of course. Otherwise, tell them that you are leaving at the end of the semester, and take the financial hit - you'll lose badly!

Incidentally, why are you chosing to leave so soon? Do you have anything interesting to tell us?!

Pray tell...

BillyBee



Joined: 30 Mar 2005
Posts: 44
Location: The Great Sandpit

PostPosted: Thu Feb 28, 2008 3:54 pm Post subject: Q&Q Reply with quote
I think this is a repeat of the 'Quantity versus Quality' argument that probably gets aired at the Higher Education Ministry every year or so.

There is a story that every year a huge kerfuffle takes place regarding the poor quality of the graduates. There is then a move to cap the number of students, effectively keeping out the dross and focusing on properly educating those bright ones. Good move, eh?!

However, come August, some of the influential Sheikhs start rattling their sabres, because their dim boss-eyed offspring can't get a place to study, and what are we gonna do with poor little Mahra (and Hamda, and Sara, etc...)? So all the numbskulls get put onto Foundations Courses to teach them how to tell the time and do colouring-in on the computers.

If they bothered to educate their offspring properly in the first place, from Primary level up, this would not take place. But nobody listens. And so the charade continues. Pitiful, eh?!

Sandy McManus

Who is Sandy McManus?

He has been posting libel with impunity for a number of years under various pseudonyms such as : Jamieson, The Tefl-Tradesman, Colonel Sanders, Wally Windsor.

Anyone unfortunate enough to become the object of his attention is ridiculed and any attempt on the part of the victim to engage in reasonable dialogue is further ridiculed.

This blog exists a way to coordinate information about this person with the aim of getting him to stop the disemmination of his foul mouthed vitriol.

He has been stupid enough to leave a lot of clues about himself in different places, on the web. I couldn't believe it when one day I found a perfect match which fitted all the information I knew about him and then began drip feeding this information onto his latest blog. Suddenly he closed the posting down abruptly and removed most of the thread I had posted, stating that he was acting only to protect the innocent party David Kerr, who he claimed had been wrongly named as being the REAL Sandy McManus.

Anyone wanting to wade through the filth on his blog (literally filth as his vulgarity is unbelievable) will quickly see that protection of the innocent is not one of his traits.

I have posted the CV of David Kerr below and if a mistake has been made will happily remove all trace of him. I somehow doubt it though. My postings were getting a little too close to home for comfort otherwise they would have been left and subjected to the usual ridicule..

This is the thread that was suddenly removed. Add your own comments. The owners of blog-city who hosted tefl-trade, the blog apparently shut down by Paul Lowe undoubtedly can corroborate a lot of this information as they would have had to invoice him for their blog. Likewise Dave Sperling must know who he is as the original registration on Dave's ESL Cafe probably was authentic.

There are more of you out there who can help and you are welcome to post bits of the jigsaw anonymously.

Here’s the thread that was removed……………………….

August 22, 2008 7:10 PM
Anonymous KMS and little San' said...

OK chief. I called an IVLADii staff meeting today, and we pleased to announce that we are totally and completely your bitches in defense of the threat of you outing.
Even little Sandy is fired up, tossing her toys across the room. She learns very quickly.
Good luck with developments in Denver.

August 22, 2008 7:31 PM
Anonymous said...

Higher Colleges of Technology UAE ring a bell ______?
I'm a wee bit closer to home than you think.

August 23, 2008 8:22 AM
Colonel Sanders said...

Hmm, you might have the right country, but you're definitely barking up the wrong tree! Send in Rover - or the Baskerville! Woof-woof!!

August 23, 2008 9:39 AM
Shaun Ryder said...

'E's a bell-end, this one. Whass next ? Ole Shaunie an' Dr Kim unmasked ? I think we 'ave to 'ave a meetin', work out oo this coont is an' bash 'im.

August 23, 2008 10:51 AM
Anonymous said...

Barking up the wrong palm tree eh?

person: Mohammed Ghanawi
address: Higher Colleges of Technology
address: P.O.Box 25026, Abu Dhabi, UAE
e-mail: mohammed.ghanawi@hct.ac.ae
phone: +971 2 6922460
phone: +971 50 6127901
fax-no: +971 2 6810726
mnt-by: ETISALAT-MNT
nic-hdl: MG6117-RIPE
source: RIPE # Filtered

Bark bark bark.


August 23, 2008 11:04 AM
Colonel Sanders said...

Yep, that's right - my name's Mohammed! Game's up, I suppose... Better book that flight to Paris now!!

August 23, 2008 11:35 AM
Anonymous said...

Anyone interested, (and I'm sure you are numerous) who have suffered at the hands of this nasty piece of work, just forward any emails directly to Mohammed Ghanawi himself.

David Kerr worked there prior to the opening of Zayed University.

I'm sure there are many out there who have suffered at the hands of this guy. It's the work of a minute for the guys in charge of the computer networks to coordinate all the IP dates times etc. and no amount of wriggling will get him out of that one.

You can also contact:
person: Hassan Kharim
address: Higher Colleges of Technology
address: P.O.Box 25026, Abu Dhabi, UAE
e-mail: hassan.khraim@hct.ac.ae
phone: +971 2 6922473
phone: +971 50 6127901
fax-no: +971 2 6810726
mnt-by: ETISALAT-MNT
nic-hdl: HK2076-RIPE
source: RIPE # Filtered

No need for either of these IT guys to take a plane anywhere. After all, they are just up the road!

The UAE is known as a very tolerant society. I doubt that they will take kindly to the hatred emanating from their territory from this piece of slime.

August 23, 2008 12:37 PM

AT THIS POINT THE THREAD WAS HEAVILY CENSORED AND NO MORE POSTINGS WERE ALLOWED!

Sandy McManus (otherwise known as David Kerr).

CURRICULUM VITAE

DAVID KERR (Sandy McManus)
Instructor/administrator at Zayed University
United Arab Emirates

EDUCATION
The University of Edinburgh
MA, ELT and linguistics, 1986 — 1988
Queen's University Belfast
BA Hons, History and Education, 1979 — 1983

INTERESTS
I have been involved in teaching for approximately 19 years. I have taught in Ireland, England, Botswana, Turkey, Brunei and am presently teaching in Dubai.
In my teaching career I have held various middle management posts. In Ankara I was teaching at Bilkent University and I was Head of the Teaching Unit at the Vocational school coordinating instructors in teaching EAP and ESP in Tourism, Bureau Management and Computer Technical Programming courses. Then when I moved to Brunei, I taught In one of the most prestigious schools in the country called Maktab Duli 6th Form College which was a college preparing students for entry in to Higher Education including overseas Universities. Once again I held a middle management position as HOD of IGCSE English.

Presently I am teaching in the ELC at Zayed University.

ADDRESS
Zayed University
P.O. Box 19282
Dubai, UAE
Email: zayed_recruitment@zu.ac.ae

حظ سعيد