Region. Older uni staff a financial concern

The proportion of older baby boomer academics is markedly higher at the University of Western Sydney and four other of the state’s 10 universities, which face financial implications when they retire. Rhonda Hawkins, UWS deputy vice-chancellor, said it had been actively addressing its ageing workforce problems since 2006, targeting recruitment of under-40s. She said the university was planning an international ''Preparing for Academic Practice'' conference next year to attract early career academics. "We have embarked on a major academic staff recruitment campaign which will see 100 new staff appointed. This recruitment will target early career academics to boost numbers in key areas of demand,'' she said in The Sydney Morning Herald. NSW Auditor General’s annual report said UWS has 54 per cent of its academic staff over 50.