The Fulbright Academy of Science & Technology (FAST) is an international organization committed to improving the state of the world by engaging Fulbright scholars and other leaders in partnerships that advance science and society. Membership is open to Fulbright scholars, hosts and friends and to institutions having an interest in our work.

This issue highlights successes from 2007 and new plans for 2008.

Here are three brief examples of FAST success stories from 2007.

(1) Two people met at our annual conference in March in Panama. A professor at Wilmington College in Ohio wanted to create a international short course for students to do over the New Year holidays. A professor at Catholic University in Ecuador (PUCE) wanted to develop ties to US institutions and give Ecuadorian students an opportunity to interact with US students. The result is a two-week trip to Ecuador, including a symposium with local Fulbright to give students from both countries a chance to present their research and learn from each other.

(2) The University of Texas System wanted to increase opportunities for minority under-graduate science students. The NSF has a special program to support such goals (its acronym is LSAMP). The $4.9 million Texas LSAMP proposal to NSF for the 2007-2012 funding period included a special program with FAST which will give 9-15 students/year the opportunity to participate in FAST’s international meetings, programs and initiatives. The funding was approved, and the program begins in 2008.

(3) The El Salvador Ministry of Economy was organizing their Second International Congress on Innovation, Science and Technology. Based on the recommendation of a FAST Council member in San Salvador, the Ministry approached FAST to identify a speaker. The topic matched one of our skill areas, and so FAST gave a presentation on business incubators and technology-based development. While there, we also hosted a luncheon for representatives of local academic institutions.

If our work helped you or your institution, please send us a brief note so that we can include you in a FAST Success Story.

The Climate Savers Computing Initiative is an international initiative seeks to reduce global CO2 emissions from the operation of computers by 54 million tons per year (equivalent to the annual output of 11 million cars). The average desktop PC wastes nearly half the power delivered to it. This wasted electricity increases the cost of powering a computer, and it also increases the emission of greenhouse gases. Improving the energy efficiency of computers is a cost-effective way to reduce electricity consumption and the emission of greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change.

The Climate Savers Computing Initiative brings together industry, consumers and conservation organizations to significantly increase the energy efficiency of computers and servers. FAST is an “affiliate” - we have pledged to use power management and buy initiative-compliant computers and servers.

The Initiative was created by Dell, EDS, Google, HP, Intel, Lenovo, Microsoft, PG&E and WWF, and dozens of other entities are affiliates (like FAST), associates or supporters. In November the National Governors Association announced a partnership with the Initiative to spur the use of more energy-efficient computers and servers in state offices and agencies.

Our Annual Conference will be in Boston in about two months. We currently have sixteen nations represented: Australia, Austria, Dubai, Ecuador, El Salvador, Germany, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Mexico, Morocco, Norway, Philippines, Venezuela, United Kingdom, USA.

As with our previous conferences, the majority of the attendees are Fulbright scholars, but we also will have a special delegation of Libyan graduate students (some Fulbright, some not) and a delegation of alumni of German-US exchanges.

It is not too late to register (Registration will remain open until at least February 5). We also have openings in the Poster sessions for those who wish to present their research.

Partial registrations are available for the opening banquet or just the weekend. Registration is $425 for the full four-day program, with discounts for students, teachers, retired individuals and persons from developing countries. The conference hotel is $100/night.

This workshop in Doha on March 23-25, 2008 will addresses human health and environmental challenges in the Middle East and the implications for nursing in the Middle East. The program will draw together 70 professionals, academics and policymakers to address environmental pressures and changes and how these changes will influence the nursing workforce in the Middle East.

Meeting outcomes will influence nursing education and practice in the Middle East and will also be used to inform the discussions at the WHO's 61st World Health Congress in Geneva in May 2008. To nominate yourself to attend this invitation-only program, please send an email to the FAST office. There is no registration fee to attend.

The Economist Magazine is conducting an on-line debate: Yes or No: Governments and universities everywhere should compete to attract qualified students, regardless of nationality or residence.

The debate opened on December 11, and participants expressed their views. The closing statements in the debate were posted on December 19, but it is not too late to vote on the measure. As of last night, the vote was 75% yes, 25% no.

As Fulbright scholars, many of us might say "yes" to open competition to attract the best students to the best schools, but others might disagree. For example, if you think "it is imperative for a government to cultivate home-grown talent and skill as well as to import it," then enter the debate and vote No.

If you do go to the Economist website and vote, please send me an email - I want to know of this type of information is useful for future newsletters.

We like to hear from you - give us your ideas about how we can support your work in the local or international arena. Send them via email, call our office or attend a "listening session" with alumni. Upcoming sessions are in Atlanta, GA (January 10); Quito, Ecuador (January 9); Boston, MA (TBA) and London, UK (TBA). For information on these sessions, send a note to ehoward @ Fulbrightacademy.org.

FAST is a non-profit 501-c-3 membership-based organization that serves scientists, executives, and scholars worldwide. The Fulbright Academy is not affiliated with the US State Department, the Fulbright Association or the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board. Our sponsors and supporters include individual and institutional members such as universities, corporations, government agencies and foundations.