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Regional and industry cries of a highly skilled worker shortage, particularly for scientists and engineers appear well grounded based on a recent InfoBrief from the National Science Foundation (NSF). The Foundation reports in 2006, the unemployment rate for scientists and engineers in the U.S. fell to 2.5 percent. Decreasing from 3.2 percent in 2003, the figure is the lowest unemployment rate measured since the early 1990s using the Scientists and Engineers Statistical Data System, NSF reports.
 

This week's issue of Southern Compass, the electronic newsletter published by the Southern Growth Policies Board, suggested its readers check out the March 27, 2008, edition of Education Week, which is dedicated to examining what states are doing to improve science, technology, engineering and math education (STEM). STEM education is considered one of the highest priorities by many groups for the U.S. to maintain its global leadership in innovation and competitiveness.

Lexington, Ky., Mayor Jim Newberry announced last week a college scholarship plan targeting students pursing degrees in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields as a means to transform the local economy into a globally competitive community by investing in the city’s youth.
 

A growing number of academic researchers and TBED practitioners are taking interest in the emerging subject of open innovation. Like all new concepts and business practices, open innovation is not well understood by broader audiences and under-researched in the academic community. Tobias Fredberg, Maria Elmquist and Susanne Ollila from Chamlers University of Technology in Sweden attempt to address both needs in a recent paper, Managing Open Innovation – Present Findings and Future Directions.

The secret is out – and it’s fairly simple. All you need is an outstanding TBED initiative with proven success that stands out among the crowd.
 
SSTI often receives news and updates on programs that are improving our nation’s competitiveness through science, technology and innovation. Now, we are calling upon the TBED community to share these success stories – and we’ll reward you for your efforts. All you have to do is put it in writing, and we promise it will be well worth your time. As an award winner, you will:

The Beaver County (Pa.) CO-OP announced it will change its name to StartingGate. The incubator will continue to assist entrepreneurs and new business start-ups and help expand existing businesses.

Joe Dedman was chosen as the first executive director of the Southeast Indiana WIRED.

Brian DuBoff was named the director of Maryland's southern region Small Business Development Center, which is hosted by the College of Southern Maryland.

Rice University invites applications for a Baker Institute Fellow (postdoctoral researcher) to lead a new and potentially long-term project sponsored by the Baker Institute of Public Policy, the Computer and Information Technology Institute, and the Fondren Library.

With a $50 million appropriation in FY 2000, the State of Michigan has made the first installment toward spending $1 billion over the next 20 years for life sciences research, development, and commercialization. The funding is derived from Michigan's tobacco settlement. Other public and private sources are expected to match much of the state's investment over the two decades.

On March 25, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Under Secretary Thomas Dorr announced that Open Range Communications, headquartered in Denver, Colo., will receive a $267 million loan from USDA Rural Development to provide broadband service to 518 rural communities in 17 states. The commitment represents one of the largest public-private investments for broadband service by the federal government, the USDA reports. It is also the first USDA Rural Development investment to support Wi-Max technology.
 

By now, you've probably seen many of the articles covering the record number of earmarks academic institutions secured in the federal FY 2008 budget. The Chronicle of Higher Education identified more than 2,300 individual projects distributed across 920 institutions - mostly for research. The figure is 25 percent higher than the previous record and totals at least $2.25 billion. The wealth, though, is also more distributed this year than previously.

Every year, the Association of University Technology Managers (AUTM) releases its U.S. Licensing Activity Survey. The most recent version provides information on fiscal year 2006 (see the Dec. 5, 2007 issue of the Digest) and contains data for 189 universities, hospitals and research institutions.

Rob Atkinson resigned from the Progressive Policy Institute to become president of the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, a new think tank.

Rob Atkinson resigned from the Progressive Policy Institute to become president of the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, a new think tank.

Richard Bendis, an SSTI Board member, is leaving his position as president and CEO of Innovation Philadelphia to become president and CEO of True Product ID, Inc..

The Pennsylvania NanoMaterials Commercialization Center selected Alan Brown as its executive director.

Anne Conroy was named president of the Dutchess County Economic Development Corp., a nonprofit agency in New York.

Kansas Technology Enterprise Corp. named Trish Costello as its newest Entrepreneur in Residence.

The U.S. Senate confirmed Robert Cresanti as the Department of Commerce's undersecretary for technology, succeeding Phil Bond as head of the Technology Administration.

Krisztina Holly was named executive director of the University of Southern California's Mark and Mary Stevens Institute for Technology Entrepreneurship and Commercialization.

President Bush selected Idaho Gov. Dirk Kempthorne to replace Gale Norton as secretary of the Department of Interior.

Thad LeVar was appointed deputy director of the Utah Department of Commerce. LeVar replaces Jason Perry, who was named director of the Utah Governor's Office of Economic Development (GOED). Richard Bradford, the former director of GOED, retired from state government after 13 years of service.

Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue appointed Debra Lyons to lead the newly created Office of Workforce Development.

Anthony Martoccia was appointed associate deputy administrator for the U.S. Small Business Administration's Office of Government Contracting and Business Development.

Sally Stroup, assistant secretary for postsecondary education for the U.S. Department of Education, is stepping down to pursue other interests.

The Ohio Business Alliance for Higher Education and the Economy named Reginald Wilkinson to serve as its executive director.