What is the FAO Programme for cooperation with academic and research institutions?

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The launch of the FAO Programme of cooperation with academic and research institutions added the opportunity of a stint at FAO to the range of possibilities open to academics wishing to broaden their experience of life outside the campus. The programme enables academics from institutions around the world to work with FAO in their specialist areas for a period of up to one year. While the employing institution continues to pay the salary of the visiting expert, FAO provides a supplementary monthly allowance of US$2 500. If travel is involved in their assignment, FAO meets the cost and pays a daily subsistence allowance at normal UN rates.

As in the other Partnership Programmes (TCDC/TCCT Programme and the use of retired experts), the programme benefits both FAO and the participating academics. Emelia Timpo, Coordination Officer in the TCDC Unit, said "visiting experts bring a new dimension to FAO's work and help enhance the awareness of FAO among other institutions and colleagues with whom they interact on their return. For many academics, this is a unique opportunity to work in an international environment and to get some insight into the practical aspects of implementing new approaches and ideas where they are needed most."

Since the programme was launched three years ago, some 190 visiting experts have collaborated with FAO, both in the field and at headquarters. Their areas of expertise have included animal genetic resources, the use of the Internet in developing countries, urban food distribution, the environmental effects of agricultural intensification, control of rinderpest and agricultural tools for South Pacific islands, to name but a few.