Research Subcommittee Reviews Industrial and Non-Profit Philanthropic STEM Education Initiatives

This is actually pretty scary.  The goal of these reviews is to “ensure efficiency and eliminate duplication,” especially between federal, private, and philanthropic programs.  Does that mean that FIRST Robotics makes all other research and outreach for robotics in CS education “duplication”?

Subcommittee Chairman Larry Bucshon (R-IN) highlighted that the COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010 requires the National Science and Technology Council Committee on STEM to develop and implement a 5-year strategic plan.  This plan would specify and prioritize objectives and define the role of each of the government agencies which fund STEM programs and activities.  In this process of strategic planning, Bucshon stated that he wanted to recognize the importance of private sector and non-profit collaborations in STEM education.  He also noted that the Government Accountability Office (GAO) suggested that the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) should work with agencies to produce strategies that ensure efficiency and eliminate duplication and ineffective programs.  The GAO also concluded in a 2012 report that there is a need for strategic planning in order to better manage the overlap of federal STEM education programs.

via Research Subcommittee Reviews Industrial and Non-Profit Philanthropic STEM Education Initiatives.

EU Commission launches ‘grand coalition’ to tackle IT shortage

We’ve heard about the UK’s concerns about the IT skills shortage.  Now, it’s the whole European Union!

The European Commission has launched a “grand coalition” to address the region’s IT skills shortages.

Digital agenda commissioner Neelie Kroes told delegates at CeBIT that the EU’s competitiveness is “under threat” if it cannot fill the expertise gap.

The shortages come at a time of high unemployment across Europe, she added, calling for greater awareness of IT career opportunities.

via BBC News – EU Commission launches ‘grand coalition’ to tackle IT shortage.