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OCR for page 88
Internationalization of the
Technical Workforce and Transatlantic
Cooperation in R&D
William Wulf President
National Academy of Engineering
In setting the stage for the panel's discussion on internationalization of the
technical work force, Dr. Wulf commented on the importance of people in mak-
ing transatlantic cooperation work. The ability of people from different cultures
to work together will be the key to transatlantic collaboration, which makes inter-
nationalization of the technical work force an issue to be explored. People who
are able to work well with individuals from different cultures will prosper in the
global economy. Dr. Wulf expressed the hope that the panelists would discuss
how to improve links between the technical work forces of the United States and
Europe.
E. Praestgaard
European Science and Technology Assembly, Denmark
Dr. Praestgaard began his remarks by stating that it should be possible to
develop a "win-win strategy" to further the internationalization of the technical
work force while respecting the cultures and autonomy of individuals and na-
tions. It is a matter of political will to develop and implement such a strategy.
After all, Dr. Praestgaard said, "we are a generation of European scientists trained
in the United States," and this should have a positive impact in creating a truly
international technical work force.
Although the flow of Europeans to the United States for scientific and tech-
nical training remains strong, there is a shortfall of U.S. scientists and engineers
in Europe. Dr. Praestgaard recalled a time when many U.S.-trained scientists did
postdoctorate work in Europe and remained there. This practice has been on the
decline in recent years. Dr. Praestgaard cited two reasons for this downward trend:
88
OCR for page 89
INTERNATIONALIZATION OF THE TECHNICAL WORKFORCE
89
· Funding. Currently a good deal of funding goes through government pro-
grams on both sides of the Atlantic and is therefore directed to specific
research areas. This has become a substitute for "professor-to-professor"
contacts that once served as a catalyst for many informal postdoctorate
programs, especially for U.S. students coming to Europe.
· Career planning. There is a perception that choosing to pursue a post-
doctorate in Europe is a bad career move for young American researchers.
Even if that perception is ill founded, it has had a noticeable impact on the
flow of American researchers to Europe.
In looking at the European experience, Dr. Praestgaard said that the Euro-
pean Union Framework Programmes have been successful in internationalizing
research by explicitly constructing teams of researchers from different countries
to work on different projects. For U.S.-European scientific collaboration, the key
to long-term success will rest on a steady exchange of scientific and technical
personnel. It is important to develop mechanisms for such exchanges.
Mechanisms for Exchange
Dr. Praestgaard said that many European Union members may view the ex-
change of scientists and engineers as a worthy goal but one that is best left to
bilateral efforts. Bilateral measures may work for large countries, such as the
United Kingdom, Germany, and France, but they are likely to be less helpful for
smaller countries such as Denmark. European-wide efforts would therefore be
useful to ensure that all countries benefit from exchanges of scientists and engi-
neers. Such European-wide efforts could also battle the perception that collabora-
tion with Europe is held in low esteem in the United States; by marshaling all of
Europe's resources, collaboration may be more attractive for Americans.
Developing Networks
One way to develop rich networks between the United States and Europe is
to have researchers from both sides work together on projects that are two to four
years in duration. Dr. Praestgaard said that the European Commission already has
mechanisms for developing intra-European networks. Extending such mecha-
nisms to the United States and other countries could be one way to develop long-
term networks, although Dr. Praestgaard cautioned that there may be concerns
about the appropriateness of opening up such existing European mechanisms to
other countries.
Need for Funding
As important as it is to ensure that individuals from both sides engage in
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90 NEW VISTAS IN T^NSAT~IC SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY COOPERATION
greater interaction, Dr. Praestgaard said that more funding is crucial to further the
internationalization of the scientific and technical work forces in the United States
and Europe. An important objective is increasing the flow of postdoctorate re-
searchers coming from the United States to Europe. For that to occur, Dr.
Praestgaard concluded, more money is needed.
H. Glatz
DaimlerBenz, Germany
Mr. Glatz said that he would focus on education and its role in promoting
transatlantic cooperation as well as how the global market will promote interna-
tionalization of the work force. First, he wanted to make some points about intel-
lectual property rights, especially in light of Dr. Routti's comments in the prior
session. Mr. Glatz said that the different approaches to patents in the United States
and Europe the United States having a "first to file" approach versus Europe's
"first to invent" approach is the key difference between the two sides regarding
R&D. Mr. Glatz stressed that the European Patent Agency is a simplifying mecha-
nism, because it does not require patent applications in 15 countries. Even though
different intellectual property rights laws remain a barrier in conducting transat-
lantic R&D, the business community and the governments on both sides, as well
as academics, are working to lower the barriers that are associated with intellec-
tual property law.
Education
Promoting the internationalization of the scientific and technical work force
through educational institutions remains a key theme in Europe, but the transat-
lantic component has been neglected. Mr. Glatz sees many U.S. students working
in his company, but he believes that the number of such students has been declin-
ing in recent years. Less money for such exchanges is the main reason for the
decline.
The Rise of Global Markets
For business the rise of global markets closely parallels the growing interna-
tionalization of the scientific and technical work forces. If Daimler Benz is devel-
oping a car in Alabama, many of its German engineers, along with employees
from its Palo Alto research and design center, will spend time on site. As the
Daimler Benz-Chrysler merger proceeds, the internationalization of the work
forces from both companies will accelerate.
In light of the trend toward internationalization, Mr. Glatz asked whether the
Japanese "closed-door" strategy in developing the 300-mm wafer technology was
sound. Alternatively, was it better to use the "open-door" approach as
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INTERNATIONALIZATION OF THE TECHNICAL WORKFORCE
91
SEMATECH has done in I300I that invites wide participation? Mr. Glatz noted
that Japan has had some success in the past with the "closed-door" strategy. What-
ever the merits of such a strategy, it surely will not promote the internationaliza-
tion of the scientific and technical work forces.
Mr. Glatz concluded by saying that joint work among young researchers on
international projects acclimates researchers to working in an international con-
text. This is the key to building future links for collaboration. Not only do such
links help business, but they further foster the internationalization of the technical
work force.
Henri Conze
Ministry for Defense (1993-1996), France
Mr. Conze placed his remarks on the internationalization of the technical
work force in the context of the growing importance of transatlantic cooperation
to the European economy.
Industrial Restructuring
With European economies becoming increasingly integrated, European in-
dustry will need to continue restructuring to meet competitive challenges. Grow-
ing transatlantic trade will also affect European industrial restructuring. Greater
transatlantic S&T cooperation will be a part of growing trade relations, which
means that S&T cooperation will likely play a role, perhaps indirectly, in Europe's
changing industrial structure.
Role of Individuals in Making Cooperation Work
Mr. Conze recalled that during his career in the French government he signed
20 cooperative agreements between the United States and France. Only one agree-
ment is still alive; the rest failed, mostly because of bureaucratic inertia. Only
committed individuals can make such agreements work, and this will be true for
the U.S.-EU S&T agreement, too. International agreements, when they fail, usu-
ally fall victim to cultural misunderstandings. Individuals must work through such
misunderstandings, and one way to build the capacity to do this is through long-
term relationships among S&T professionals. The U.S.-EU S&T agreement is an
opportunity to pave the way for a world in which American and European re-
searchers can operate together in the global marketplace.
In concluding, Mr. Conze said that resistance to collaboration among scien-
tists and engineers still exists on both sides of the Atlantic. Engaging students in
collaboration at an early stage in their careers is one way to overcome such resis-
tance. For both sides, such integration of scientific and technical work forces will
increasingly be a condition for competitive success in global markets.
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92 NEW VISTAS IN T^NSAT~IC SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY COOPERATION
Gary Poehlein
National Science Foundation
In previewing his remarks Dr. Poehlein said that, in addition to his position
at the National Science Foundation (NSF), he is a professor of chemistry at Geor-
gia Institute of Technology, whose main campus is in Atlanta, but which also has
a campus in France. He stated that his comments would reflect his experiences at
NSF and Georgia Tech.
During his academic career, Dr. Poehlein has taught many foreign students,
many of whom have stayed in the United States and contributed greatly to this
country. He has also seen a number of U.S. students spend time abroad but said
that the United States would benefit from having more students spend a greater
amount of time overseas. Dr. Poehlein identified the following barriers to U.S.
science and engineering students studying abroad:
.
Finances. More fellowships are needed for overseas study.
· Language. Language barriers remain significant, and language training
would help lower the barriers.
· Impatience of young people. Many students do not want to extend their
educational programs by one year through overseas experience.
· Lack of perceived career advantage. The bias against spending time
abroad exists, but it may be declining, especially as the chemical industry
becomes more international.
Dr. Poehlein observed that there was a large difference in perspectives on
international study between business schools and the science and engineering
community. Business students see a clear advantage to international experience,
but science and engineering students do not widely share this view. Because the
business community is ahead of its counterparts in science and engineering on
international education, Dr. Poehlein suggested enlisting the business community
to advocate international education among scientists and engineers. Business
wants to hire the best science and engineering students from universities, and it
also wants to engage universities in research. Perhaps business could deepen its
relationships with scientists and engineers at universities by providing intern-
ships for students abroad. Students could, for example, work at overseas indus-
trial labs, thereby addressing students' financial concerns while providing busi-
ness something of value.
In conclusion, Dr. Poehlein said that to advance the internationalization of
the technical work force U.S. business should offer more opportunities for U.S.
science and engineering students to gain experience abroad.
OCR for page 93
INTERNATIONALIZATION OF THE TECHNICAL WORKFORCE
Dieter Seitzer
Fraunhofer Institute, Erlangen-Nurnberg, Germany
93
In framing his remarks, Dr. Seitzer gave some historical background on the
Fraunhofer Institutes, saying that Fraunhofer himself was an optical scientist.
Fraunhofer was also an engineer who developed precision tools and glass with
the objective of doing better research in optics. Eventually Fraunhofer became an
entrepreneur, starting his own business to manufacture glass and precision tools
for optics.
Fraunhofer's background very much captures the spirit of the institutes in
Germany that bear his name. Science, engineering, and entrepreneurship are all
closely tied together in the Fraunhofer Institutes, which try to do cutting-edge
research and engineering while also working closely with industry so that the
institutes' research can be applied in manufacturing and business processes.
To be close to their customers, the Fraunhofer Institutes are spread out around
Germany, usually close to industrial centers and universities. Of its 9,000 em-
ployees, about 3,000 work part time these are mostly students. Often, students
start out at Fraunhofer as assistants; as they advance to Ph.D. studies, they be-
come valuable contributors to the institutes' work. Of Fraunhofer' s full-time tech-
nical staff, totaling 4,500, nearly two-thirds also hold positions with universities.
Much of the institutes' work is contract research and development for indus-
try; most studies look at technological feasibility or develop prototypes. The
Fraunhofer Institutes offer continuing education to scientists and engineers in
industry who may have graduated 15 to 20 years ago and need to be updated on
the latest developments in their fields.
Finally, the Fraunhofer Institutes have exchange programs with other Euro-
pean countries. Dr. Seitzer said that Fraunhofer participates in the European
Union's COMET program by which students in one country do research and
engineering work for businesses in another country. With over 200 industrial
clients, Fraunhofer has a great capacity to place students in German industry. Dr.
Seitzer concluded by saying that the Fraunhofer Institutes are ready to welcome
U.S. students through exchange programs.
COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE
Brian Randall of the University of Newcastle suggested that a prestigious
fellowship program be established to encourage more U.S. students to spend time
in Europe at university or business research institutions. He said that such a fel-
lowship program could be an adjunct to the U.S.-EU science and technology
agreement. In light of the National Academy of Sciences' New Vistas conference
and the Einstein statue outside the Academy's main building, perhaps such a
program could be called the Einstein Fellowship, which would capture the trans-
atlantic objective of the fellowship. It would be important, Dr. Randall concluded,
to use prestige and funding as an incentive to encourage U.S. science and engi-
neering students to work and study in Europe.
Representative terms from entire chapter:
fraunhofer institutes
