Retired academics database

The Retired Academics Database (RAD), which was launched by the Association of Commonwealth Universities less than two years ago, has begun helping universities in the developing world tackle their staff recruitment difficulties. RAD is a database of retired academics and administrators from around the world that these universities can use to fill vacancies on a short-term basis.

Although the database has been receiving registrations since September 2002, the scheme was not opened for university use until the autumn of 2003. This allowed time to build up a sufficient database of university staff for universities to recruit from. There are now almost 700 academics and administrators registered on the database, from countries as far apart as Australia and Zambia.

RAD is keen to hear from academics and administrators who would be interested in serving a short-term contract at a university in the developing world. Although most applicants are retired, RAD also welcomes staff at an earlier stage in their careers who are interested in short assignments in the developing world.

Remuneration typically includes local salary and a return airfare (often available for spouses as well). Universities in countries including Botswana, Swaziland and the West Indies have already used RAD for recruitment.

Piers Pennington, head of ACU's academic recruitment unit, which is running RAD said, "We're really pleased that so many people have registered on the RAD database, and are delighted that universities are using it to recruit staff.

However, we are keen to encourage more people to register on RAD, as the more universities use the scheme the more we will need to increase our available pool of staff."

Interested university staff can register for the scheme by completing the online form on RAD's website at: www.acu.ac.uk, and can contact RAD by email: rad@acu.ac.uk, by fax: 020 7380 6776, or by telephone: 0207 380 6707.