National Science Board Science and Engineering Indicators (01.15.08)

Members of the National Science Board delivered to the President and the Congress Science and Engineering Indicators 2008 (SEI ´08), the Board´s biennial report on the state of science and engineering research and education in the United States.

Called the "gold standard," it is the most comprehensive source of information on research and development conducted by universities, industry, the federal government and the international science and engineering enterprise.

The Global Competitiveness Report 2007-2008

The United States tops the overall ranking in The Global Competitiveness Report 2007-2008. Switzerland is in second position followed by Denmark, Sweden, Germany, Finland and Singapore, respectively.

The rankings are calculated from both publicly available data and the Executive Opinion Survey, a comprehensive annual survey conducted by the World Economic Forum together with its network of Partner Institutes (leading research institutes and business organizations) in the countries covered by the Report. This year, over 11,000 business leaders were polled in a record 131 countries.



World Economic Forum´s Global Education Initiative Report (Jan 2008)

From the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland
(1/23/08- 1/27/08):

Briefing on Advancing Science

Studies show the general public lacks an overall knowledge of scientific facts and concepts. Does indifference towards scientific understanding and methods impede societal progress?

Session Summary: Defining Innovation (1/23/08)

Innovation Measurement: Tracking the State of Innovation in the American Economy (1/18/08)

Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez announced steps for the federal statistical agencies and others to work to explain and quantify one of the largest and most elusive drivers of the economy—innovation. Among the innovation measurement initiatives announced by Gutierrez were comprehensive accounting of the effect of high-tech goods and services, measuring the increase in productivity due to increased investments in innovation, and expanding collection of data on innovation. These measures are based on a report by the Advisory Committee on Measuring Innovation in the 21st Century Economy. Committee members are CEOs and prominent academics who worked over the past year to develop innovation metrics.

Event Coverage
The H-1B Program and Labor Certification: Attestation and PERM

By Philip Martin

The Sloan West Coast Program on Science and Engineering Workers held its first seminar January 18, 2008 at UC Davis to discuss the US Department of Labor´s role in admitting foreign scientists and engineers as temporary workers and as immigrants. The three major sessions dealt with the US Department of Labor´s handling of employer attestations and certifying the need for immigrants to fill particular job vacancies and enforcing program rules, the impacts of foreign scientists and engineers on US workers, and the views of employer and worker advocates on the H-1B program.

The next seminar will focus on S & E workers and the IT business cycle, asking what happens to those who enter the industry during booms, such as in the late 1990s, when there is a bust? Do they return to the IT industry when hiring resumes or stay in other jobs? The seminar will be May 12-13, 2008 at Stanford. Those interested in participating should contact Philip Martin at: plmartin@ucdavis.edu