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Research and Education Are Key to Future U.S. Competitiveness A national report of attitudes among business, university and state leaders, released by the National Science Foundation, shows that an overwhelming majority of survey respondents rate research and education as the key to future U.S. competitiveness. The report also identified university/industry cooperative ventures and greater commercialization of research findings as special areas for improvement. Aimed at assessing the health of the U.S. research system, the survey and regional forums were conducted by the Conference Board and the National Governors' Association, with the support and participation of NSF. Of particular concern were science and mathematics education from kindergarten through high school. Recommendations included improving the quality and quantity of teachers at this level through using scholarships, grants and loans; changing certification requirements to allow engineers, physicists and mathematicians to become certified to teach; and providing special school settings to emphasize mathematics and science. Among the findings, participants in cooperative research relationships between universities and industries reported that industry is not committing its "best and brightest" scientists and engineers to these joint ventures and stressed the need for greater corporate involvement. The survey also showed that despite widespread business support for industryuniversity partnerships, more than half a sample of business leaders believes that such cooperative research would not have a critical impact on U.S. competitiveness. Only one quarter believe it would have a critical impact on the competitiveness of their firms. In connection with technology transfer, respondents (business, university, and state) believe that business' lack of longterm goals and vision has hindered the commercialization of U.S. technology. The business community was faulted by its own representatives for lack of patience and for focusing on the next quarter's profits rather than the potential payoff from long-term investments in product development. Copies of The Role of Science and Technology in Economic Competitiveness are available from: Forms and Publications Office, National Science Foundation, 1800 G Street NW, Room 232, Washington, DC 20550; telephone (202) 357-7861.

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Research Roundtable Appoints New Members Five new members have been appointed to the Council of the Government-University-Industry Research Roundtable (GUIRR), a discussion forum of scientists, engineers, administrators, and policy makers sponsored by the National Academies of Sciences and Engineering and the Institute of Medicine. Newly appointed to three-year terms are Joel S. Birnbaum, vice president and general manager, information technology group, Hewlett-Packard Co.; Richard F. Celeste, governor of Ohio; Kenneth H. Keller, president, University of Minnesota; John E. Sawyer, president emeritus, Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, New York City; and Alvin W. Trivelpiece, executive officer, America