Assesses the status and direction of Japan's approach to schooling. Questions the emphasis placed on rote learning and on attainment of high scores. Outlines potential themes and problems to examine for reforming Japanese schools. (ML)

Discusses plans to develop and naturalize its scientific and technological capabilities. Areas in which Mexico's National Council of Science and Technology selected to focus a national development program include: scholarships for middle-/high-level researchers/technicians; programs to support research and basic/new industries; government-industry…

Compares the science and technology strategies and priorities of France, Germany, Japan, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Analyzes the similarities and differences, historical settings, research and development allocations, coordinating mechanisms, outputs, dissatisfactions, and recent changes. (TW)

Describes goals and decisions for implementation developed by the International Soros Science Education Program (ISSEP). ISSEP is an initiative directed to the education of basic sciences in Russia and other newly independent states of the former Soviet Union. Focuses on ensuring the recognition of gifted young students at the high school level…

Describes programs used by European countries and companies for advancing the commercialization of biotechnology. Compares European strategies and efforts in biotechnology with those undertaken in the United States. Includes listings of the European countries and the areas of biotechnology research. (ML)

Describes a wave of reforms set in motion by Nobel laureate Leo Esaki, to encourage industry to play a bigger role in graduate education through a new program that enables doctoral candidates to work in 31 participating corporate and government labs near the University of Tsukuba, Japan. (LZ)

Reviews the recent history of successful international cooperative scientific projects. Considers the present level of international science, and supports the notion that the best context for all of science is the global community. Promotes participation by scientists in international scientific organizations. (CS)

Argues that test score rankings provide little information about educational quality because countries differ substantially in factors such as student selectivity, curriculum emphasis, and the proportion of low-income students in the test-taking population. (DDR)

Discusses some of the worldwide problems associated with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and infection with the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). Calls for programs for the prevention and control of AIDS as an immediate priority in all countries. (TW)