The sympoisum was held to describe the roots and future plans of the Engineering Research Center's (ERC's) concept and program. The first section of this symposium compilation describes the national goals that the ERCs represent. The second section presents the point of view of the National Science Foundation on the ERCs--the concept behind them,…

In the present paper we question how engineering education (and engineering) can support greater participation and inclusiveness in decision making and science and technology. We consider the work "relating" to engineering and society that is conducted by the scholars of science and technology studies, but which is rarely read or considered by the…

Research and development (R & D) have been a fundamental of the human performance technology heritage. This treatise is intended to refocus the profession on the importance of R & D, presenting a classification scheme of purposes, methods, and categories for embracing multiple views of R & D. (Author/JOW)

Discusses some of the federal and state engineering research initiatives that have been launched in recent years, including the National Science Foundation's Engineering Research Centers. Proposes that the status of the United States' competitiveness may depend on how well we manage this process as much as on the resulting technologies themselves.…

A master agreement to formalize university-industry cooperation can conflict with patent policies and intellectual property protection. Agreements should allow protection for sources of competitive advantage and focus on university core competencies. (SK)

This symposium issue presents nine articles that discuss the U.S. Air Force STINFO (Scientific and Technical Information) Program, which was developed to improve the effectiveness of collecting and disseminating scientific and technical information concerning Department of Defense, Army, Navy, and Air Force research and engineering efforts. (LRW)

The Knowledge Innovation System is a management technique in which a networked enterprise uses knowledge flow as a collaborative advantage. Enterprise Management System-Architecture, which can be applied to collaborative activities, has five domains: economic, sociological, psychological, managerial, and technological. (SK)

Presents an interview with National Academy of Sciences president Frank Press who discusses various topics and issues related to the new era of science. They include the rapidity of scientific advances, changes in the structure of science policy, and concerns about university research systems. (JN)

This paper discusses the need for engineering education to address research and development, applied research, and technology transfer. It is important that engineering education considers as a major objective for engineering students the need of bridging the gap between what is produced in laboratories and the full scale of industrial production.…

Examines the ethics, economics, manpower needs and future regulation of biotechnology. Discusses the new tests of the basic premise of the universality of knowledge gained from university research as attempts are made to patent and temporarily withhold publication of proprietary discoveries made with taxpayer support. (CW)

Notes the contributions that research universities are making to research and development in the United States, including their impact on science policy and economic growth. Urges that more funds be put into academic research institutions, arguing that current levels are proportionately low. (TW)

The problem of combining academic goals and industry-oriented education in a manner benefiting students, society, and the economy is examined in the context of a research unit within a Romanian university's electrical engineering faculty. Questions of equipment, funding, student personal development, and appropriateness of technological…

All-inclusive patent and licensing policies of research universities ignore the strengths of individual disciplines and varied needs of industrial sponsors. Some academic units are involved primarily in incremental improvement, while others generate breakthrough developments. Industry also pursues differential innovation patterns. Disciplines…

The role of the National Science Foundation (NSF) in supporting college science and engineering education at the undergraduate level is discussed, along with important factors in the national environment, including economic challenges facing the country, and the foundation's relationship to research and education. Because of a shift to a global…

Defends the existence of a synergy between research and education, which requires the acceptance of two principles: (1) education of engineers as the creation of a pro-innovation attitude; and (2) research as an open-minded compromising attitude with progress of valuable knowledge. Argues that research-oriented centers are better-prepared to boost…