International Cooperation With International Cooperation With Developing CountriesDeveloping Countries

OISE Advisory Committee, Oct. OISE Advisory Committee, Oct. 28/0728/07

Wayne PattersonWayne PattersonProgram Manager for Developing CountriesProgram Manager for Developing CountriesChair, Developing Countries Working GroupChair, Developing Countries Working Group

OISE Addressing Developing OISE Addressing Developing Countries CollaborationsCountries Collaborations

Position of “Program Manager for Developing Position of “Program Manager for Developing Countries” created in early 2006Countries” created in early 2006

Wayne Patterson begins in August 2006Wayne Patterson begins in August 2006

Primary responsibility to develop mechanisms Primary responsibility to develop mechanisms for increasing levels and types of support in for increasing levels and types of support in developing countriesdeveloping countries

Seek Partnerships With Other Seek Partnerships With Other EntitiesEntities

Continue or initiate discussions with other funding Continue or initiate discussions with other funding agenciesagencies US governmentUS government Other governmentsOther governments Private sectorPrivate sector FoundationsFoundations Quasi-governmental agenciesQuasi-governmental agencies

Objective: co-funding with partners who are more Objective: co-funding with partners who are more able to support non-US participants in researchable to support non-US participants in research

A “Thinktank”A “Thinktank”

In December 2006, the Developing Countries In December 2006, the Developing Countries Working Group (DCWG) was formedWorking Group (DCWG) was formed

To serve as a forum inside OISE to initiate To serve as a forum inside OISE to initiate strategies, reflect on directions, discuss strategies, reflect on directions, discuss relevant issuesrelevant issues

Patterson to serve as chair and “staff”Patterson to serve as chair and “staff”

DCWG ParticipantsDCWG Participants

Representative from each Representative from each regional group and front regional group and front office:office:

Eduardo FellerEduardo Feller Garie FordyceGarie Fordyce Rose GombayRose Gombay Frances LiFrances Li Libby LyonsLibby Lyons Myra McAuliffeMyra McAuliffe

Ed MurdyEd Murdy

Evan Notman Evan Notman

Alex StepanianAlex Stepanian

Harold StolbergHarold Stolberg

Kathryn SullivanKathryn Sullivan

Wayne Patterson, ChairWayne Patterson, Chair

Meetings open to all OISEMeetings open to all OISE

Meets monthlyMeets monthly

Representative TopicsRepresentative Topics

Status of potential partnershipsStatus of potential partnershipsDevelopment of strategy documentDevelopment of strategy document““Brain drain, brain gain, brain circulation”Brain drain, brain gain, brain circulation”Plant genome supplements in developing Plant genome supplements in developing

countriescountriesSandwich programsSandwich programs2009 Budget proposal2009 Budget proposal““$100 computer”$100 computer”

2009 Budget Recommendation2009 Budget Recommendation

Global Engagement Initiative to Increase CollaborationGlobal Engagement Initiative to Increase Collaboration

ResearchResearch thrust will emphasize partnerships with external thrust will emphasize partnerships with external agencies through co-funding or supplements (agencies through co-funding or supplements (Joint Programs Joint Programs with External Organizationswith External Organizations: $1.5 million) and partnerships : $1.5 million) and partnerships with the directorates with a model structurally like EPSCoR with the directorates with a model structurally like EPSCoR ((Bubble Program: Bubble Program: $1.5 million)$1.5 million)

LearningLearning thrust will extend the PASI concept globally and seek thrust will extend the PASI concept globally and seek to expand IRES through “IRES Mirror Programs” to expand IRES through “IRES Mirror Programs”

Transformative Science and EngineeringTransformative Science and Engineering thrust will be thrust will be implemented through a pilot (implemented through a pilot (Developing Countries Developing Countries Ramanujan Pilot Program:Ramanujan Pilot Program: $0.5 million). $0.5 million).

Why “Ramanujan”?Why “Ramanujan”?

Ramanujan was born in Tamil Nadu, India in 1887. Ramanujan was born in Tamil Nadu, India in 1887. With almost no formal training in pure mathematics, With almost no formal training in pure mathematics, Ramanujan studied mathematics on his own and Ramanujan studied mathematics on his own and worked as a clerk. worked as a clerk.

G. H. Hardy, a towering figure in mathematics, had G. H. Hardy, a towering figure in mathematics, had written several important research papers and written several important research papers and influential textbooks. When Ramanujan wanted to influential textbooks. When Ramanujan wanted to get the opinion of British mathematicians to evaluate get the opinion of British mathematicians to evaluate his discoveries, it was only natural that he close to his discoveries, it was only natural that he close to write to Hardy. write to Hardy.

Actually Ramanujan communicated his remarkable Actually Ramanujan communicated his remarkable findings to several British mathematicians, but it was findings to several British mathematicians, but it was only Hardy who responded. only Hardy who responded.

Realising that Ramanujan was a genius of the first Realising that Ramanujan was a genius of the first magnitude, Hardy invited Ramanujan to Cambridge magnitude, Hardy invited Ramanujan to Cambridge University, England. The rest is history. The University, England. The rest is history. The collaboration between Hardy and Ramanujan was collaboration between Hardy and Ramanujan was immense. immense.

The two letters Ramanujan wrote to Hardy in The two letters Ramanujan wrote to Hardy in 1913 are considered to be among the greatest in 1913 are considered to be among the greatest in mathematical history. Hardy's initial reaction on mathematical history. Hardy's initial reaction on seeing the letters was that Ramanujan was a fraud seeing the letters was that Ramanujan was a fraud because many of the formulas were known, some because many of the formulas were known, some were incorrect, and there were no hints of proofs. were incorrect, and there were no hints of proofs. But then there were several astonishingly But then there were several astonishingly beautiful formulas that were correct and very beautiful formulas that were correct and very deep. Only a mathematician of the highest class deep. Only a mathematician of the highest class could write them down. So, on second thought, could write them down. So, on second thought, Hardy concluded that it was more probable that Hardy concluded that it was more probable that Ramanujan was a genius and unlikely that he was Ramanujan was a genius and unlikely that he was a fraud because no one but a true genius could a fraud because no one but a true genius could have the imagination to invent such formulae.have the imagination to invent such formulae.

Status of External DiscussionsStatus of External Discussions

Active discussions are taking place with 10 Active discussions are taking place with 10 entities for the possibility of co-funding entities for the possibility of co-funding international collaboration in developing international collaboration in developing countries. countries.

This is an update on these negotiations as of This is an update on these negotiations as of the current date. the current date.

They are not presented in any particular order.They are not presented in any particular order.

USAIDUSAID

The Director of the Higher Education group at The Director of the Higher Education group at USAID, Martin Hewitt, has raised the USAID, Martin Hewitt, has raised the possibility of expanding on his current policy possibility of expanding on his current policy of providing some Washington-based funds of providing some Washington-based funds for projects supported by USAID missions to for projects supported by USAID missions to an approach where NSF and USAID would an approach where NSF and USAID would agree on a common theme, and invite missions agree on a common theme, and invite missions to also fund with NSF and USAID to also fund with NSF and USAID Washington support for projects that would Washington support for projects that would address the theme. address the theme.

HEDHED

The Higher Education for Development The Higher Education for Development program, which competes various projects program, which competes various projects from USAID missions in the US higher from USAID missions in the US higher education community, has been working with education community, has been working with us to the extent that I have served as an us to the extent that I have served as an observer on their recent review panels, with an observer on their recent review panels, with an eye to supplementing projects that may have a eye to supplementing projects that may have a mutual interest to HED, USAID and NSF.mutual interest to HED, USAID and NSF.

USDAUSDA

We have discussed the possibility of We have discussed the possibility of expanding on the Borlaug and Cochran expanding on the Borlaug and Cochran Fellowship programs. These fellowships send Fellowship programs. These fellowships send agricultural scientists from developing agricultural scientists from developing countries for research mentorship in the US. countries for research mentorship in the US. NSF would consider supporting a later return NSF would consider supporting a later return visit by a US mentor to continue research visit by a US mentor to continue research collaboration with former Borlaug or Cochran collaboration with former Borlaug or Cochran Fellows in their home country. This could be Fellows in their home country. This could be either one-on-one or one-on-many. either one-on-one or one-on-many.

World BankWorld Bank

The Global Learning Development Network, a The Global Learning Development Network, a network of high-capacity video and multi-network of high-capacity video and multi-media conferencing facilities, has been made media conferencing facilities, has been made available to NSF to support research projects available to NSF to support research projects where international videoconferencing would where international videoconferencing would aid in the research. aid in the research.

CAPES BrazilCAPES Brazil

The Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de The Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) ministry Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) ministry in Brazil has offered to “mirror” the IRES in Brazil has offered to “mirror” the IRES program: the Brazilian students participating program: the Brazilian students participating in an IRES project with US students (there are in an IRES project with US students (there are currently four such projects) will be supported currently four such projects) will be supported by CAPES to return to the US participating by CAPES to return to the US participating university in the subsequent year, to continue university in the subsequent year, to continue the student research experience. the student research experience.

IRRIIRRI

The International Rice Research Institute The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in Los Baños, Philippines, receives the (IRRI) in Los Baños, Philippines, receives the US portion of its operating budget from US portion of its operating budget from USAID. 8% of this allocation must be used for USAID. 8% of this allocation must be used for student exchange, which is currently used to student exchange, which is currently used to support 8-10 US graduate students to conduct support 8-10 US graduate students to conduct research at IRRI. I discussed with IRRI the research at IRRI. I discussed with IRRI the possibility that NSF could supplement this possibility that NSF could supplement this amount to add further graduate students to the amount to add further graduate students to the project. project.

NRCTNRCT

The National Research Council of Thailand The National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT) is considering joining EAPSI. As (NRCT) is considering joining EAPSI. As well, they are looking into the possibility of well, they are looking into the possibility of “mirroring” IRES, as described above with “mirroring” IRES, as described above with CAPES.CAPES.

Partnership for Partnership for Higher Education in AfricaHigher Education in Africa

There have been several discussions about There have been several discussions about joint funding of specific research joint funding of specific research collaborations. At the moment, we are looking collaborations. At the moment, we are looking for an appropriate project that would meet for an appropriate project that would meet both PHEA and NSF objectives.both PHEA and NSF objectives.

MacArthur FoundationMacArthur Foundation

MacArthur supports capacity building at a MacArthur supports capacity building at a number of African universities. They are now number of African universities. They are now interested in discussing the possibility of interested in discussing the possibility of supporting more research-oriented projects supporting more research-oriented projects which we might join. which we might join.

UNESCOUNESCO

UNESCO has expressed the desire to support UNESCO has expressed the desire to support non-US participants to travel to participate in non-US participants to travel to participate in any of our international workshops. any of our international workshops.

International Foundation for ScienceInternational Foundation for Science

The International Foundation for Science in The International Foundation for Science in Stockholm is interested in discussing joint Stockholm is interested in discussing joint funding. I expect to be able to meet with them funding. I expect to be able to meet with them within the next quarter. within the next quarter.

What’s a Developing Country?What’s a Developing Country?

NOT a subject of discussionNOT a subject of discussion

Could lead to long debates, do we really want Could lead to long debates, do we really want this?this?

Are they developing economies, or developing Are they developing economies, or developing science communities?science communities?

Use an accepted modelUse an accepted model

World Bank probably the bestWorld Bank probably the best

Site Visits/StrengthsSite Visits/Strengths

Americas:Americas:December 2006December 2006

Brazil --- mathematicsBrazil --- mathematicsChile --- physicsChile --- physics

Africa:Africa:June 2007June 2007

Ghana --- tropical biologyGhana --- tropical biologyBenin --- rice research, math/physicsBenin --- rice research, math/physicsNiger --- atmospheric scienceNiger --- atmospheric scienceEthiopia --- earth science, anthropology/archaeologyEthiopia --- earth science, anthropology/archaeology

Southeast Asia:Southeast Asia:October 2007October 2007

Philippines --- rice research, marine sciencePhilippines --- rice research, marine scienceIndonesia --- earth and marine scienceIndonesia --- earth and marine scienceMalaysia --- marine scienceMalaysia --- marine scienceThailand --- chemistry, engineeringThailand --- chemistry, engineering

Presentations at US UniversitiesPresentations at US Universities

California State University – NorthridgeCalifornia State University – Northridge

California State University – FullertonCalifornia State University – Fullerton

US University in US-Brazil FIPSE/CAPES Annual MeetingUS University in US-Brazil FIPSE/CAPES Annual Meeting

NSF Day – Tulane UniversityNSF Day – Tulane University

Council of Historically Black Graduate SchoolsCouncil of Historically Black Graduate Schools

Conference of Southern Graduate Schools Conference of Southern Graduate Schools

Vanderbilt University Vanderbilt University

Clemson UniversityClemson University

US National Committee for Mathematics, The National AcademiesUS National Committee for Mathematics, The National Academies

University of WashingtonUniversity of Washington

Western Washington UniversityWestern Washington University

Pennsylvania State UniversityPennsylvania State University

Usual Comment at US Usual Comment at US UniversitiesUniversities

““I didn’t know NSF had international I didn’t know NSF had international programs …”programs …”

(with the exception of scientists in “field-(with the exception of scientists in “field-based” disciplines)based” disciplines)

Brown-Bag SeriesBrown-Bag Series

Generic title: Generic title:

““The State of Science in X”The State of Science in X”

Where X = developing countryWhere X = developing country

To date: Nigeria, ChileTo date: Nigeria, Chile

Forthcoming: Brazil, Ghana, Philippines, South AfricaForthcoming: Brazil, Ghana, Philippines, South Africa

““The State of Science in Nigeria”The State of Science in Nigeria” Brown-Bag Seminar:Brown-Bag Seminar: Noon – 1 pm, Noon – 1 pm, Friday, February 2 Friday, February 2 Room 970Room 970

Presenter:Presenter: G. O. S. EkhaguereG. O. S. Ekhaguere

President, International Centre for President, International Centre for Mathematical and Computer SciencesMathematical and Computer Sciences

Lagos, NigeriaLagos, Nigeria

Professor, Department of Mathematics, Professor, Department of Mathematics, University of IbadanUniversity of Ibadan

Ibadan, NigeriaIbadan, Nigeria

Dr. Ekhaguere is a leader among African Dr. Ekhaguere is a leader among African mathematicians and physicists. He also recently served mathematicians and physicists. He also recently served in the leadership of the Association of African in the leadership of the Association of African Universities in Accra, Ghana. His studies were at Universities in Accra, Ghana. His studies were at Ibadan, Imperial College (London) and the University Ibadan, Imperial College (London) and the University of London where he earned his Ph.D. in mathematical of London where he earned his Ph.D. in mathematical physics. In addition to being a faculty member at Ibadan physics. In addition to being a faculty member at Ibadan since his Ph.D., he has been a visiting professor at since his Ph.D., he has been a visiting professor at Heidelberg, Bochum, Rome, Fukuoka, Western Cape, Heidelberg, Bochum, Rome, Fukuoka, Western Cape, and the International Centre for Theoretical Physics in and the International Centre for Theoretical Physics in Trieste.Trieste.

Further information: Wayne Patterson, Further information: Wayne Patterson, wpatters@nsf.govwpatters@nsf.gov or 8189 or 8189

““The State of Science in Chile”The State of Science in Chile”

Brown-Bag Seminar:Brown-Bag Seminar: Noon – 1 pm, Noon – 1 pm, Monday, May 7 Monday, May 7 Room 1235Room 1235

Presenter:Presenter: Sergio MujicaSergio Mujica

Director of the Escuela de Director of the Escuela de Ingeniería Informática Ingeniería Informática

Diego Portales UniversityDiego Portales University

Santiago, ChileSantiago, Chile

Sergio Mujica received his PhD Sergio Mujica received his PhD from the Henry Samueli School of from the Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science, Engineering and Applied Science, University of California, Los University of California, Los Angeles. His main areas of interest Angeles. His main areas of interest are: the effective use of Internet, are: the effective use of Internet, autonomous agent networks, autonomous agent networks, distributed systems, grid distributed systems, grid computing, computer system computing, computer system security and the Open Source security and the Open Source software impact. He has previously software impact. He has previously taught at the Pontificia Universidad taught at the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, and later the Católica de Chile, and later the Universidad de Santiago, where he Universidad de Santiago, where he contributed to the creation of contributed to the creation of Chile’s first Computer Science Chile’s first Computer Science programs. programs.

He has served as a consultant for major firms, such as BCI Bank, Scotiabank, Banco de chile, Banco O’Higgins, Automóvil Club de Chile, IBM, Adexus, Lever Chile, Lotería de Concepción, and others.

He is a member and Co-founder of the Sociedad Chilena de Ciencia de la Computación (SCCC), Member of the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM), Member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE), and Director of MundoOS. The IEEE has awarded him a recognition diploma for outstanding services to the Chilean Section of the Institute.

Further information: Wayne Patterson, wpatters@nsf.gov or 8189

Sandwich ProgramsSandwich ProgramsA “sandwich program” is normally thought of as a A “sandwich program” is normally thought of as a

collaborative degree program between two institutions collaborative degree program between two institutions where the student in the program is required to complete where the student in the program is required to complete part of the program at an institution other than the home part of the program at an institution other than the home institution --- in other words, the home institution institution --- in other words, the home institution provides both slices of bread, and the visited institution provides both slices of bread, and the visited institution the meat in the middle. the meat in the middle.

I had conducted a preliminary study of sandwich programs in I had conducted a preliminary study of sandwich programs in 1999 while serving as Dean-in-Residence at the Council 1999 while serving as Dean-in-Residence at the Council of Graduate Schools. Because the response to my of Graduate Schools. Because the response to my inquiries concerning the existence of sandwich programs inquiries concerning the existence of sandwich programs was so meager, I didn’t write up my findings. was so meager, I didn’t write up my findings.

To my mild surprise, I have now received descriptions of To my mild surprise, I have now received descriptions of literally dozens of such programs. The majority of them literally dozens of such programs. The majority of them do NOT involve US institutions. There are North-North do NOT involve US institutions. There are North-North sandwiches (perhaps to be expected), North-South sandwiches (perhaps to be expected), North-South sandwiches, and also South-South sandwiches. sandwiches, and also South-South sandwiches.

$100 Computer$100 Computer

As part of a regular Developing Countries Working Group in the Office of As part of a regular Developing Countries Working Group in the Office of International Science and Engineering, interest was expressed in having a International Science and Engineering, interest was expressed in having a “think tank” discussion on the potential impact of the proposed “$100 “think tank” discussion on the potential impact of the proposed “$100 computer” for children and others in developing countries. At the same computer” for children and others in developing countries. At the same time, because of a dramatically increasing interest and commitment at the time, because of a dramatically increasing interest and commitment at the National Science Foundation in supporting cyberinfrastructure through National Science Foundation in supporting cyberinfrastructure through high-performance computing, it was also decided to consider the impact of high-performance computing, it was also decided to consider the impact of this movement on science in developing countries as well. this movement on science in developing countries as well.

Consequently, we developed a series of questions on these issues, and Consequently, we developed a series of questions on these issues, and distributed them to a group of knowledgeable and thoughtful individuals distributed them to a group of knowledgeable and thoughtful individuals throughout the world. The responses contained herein deliberately do not throughout the world. The responses contained herein deliberately do not reflect lengthy study --- the questions were posed one week ago. Rather reflect lengthy study --- the questions were posed one week ago. Rather they reflect the instinctive and, in this view, perceptive responses of a very they reflect the instinctive and, in this view, perceptive responses of a very diverse group of individuals. diverse group of individuals.

AAAS Symposium: Producing Scientists and AAAS Symposium: Producing Scientists and

Engineers in Developing CountriesEngineers in Developing Countries SYNOPSIS SYNOPSIS Higher education is undergoing many changes, in developing countries perhaps even more so Higher education is undergoing many changes, in developing countries perhaps even more so

than in the developed world. This symposium will attempt to discern some of these trends in than in the developed world. This symposium will attempt to discern some of these trends in higher education and how they will impact on the preparation of scientists and engineers in higher education and how they will impact on the preparation of scientists and engineers in developing countries. In particular, the panel will address questions such as: How have developing countries. In particular, the panel will address questions such as: How have universities throughout the world address the challenges in producing scientists and engineers universities throughout the world address the challenges in producing scientists and engineers prepared to address technological issues in the 21st century? Have universities sought greater prepared to address technological issues in the 21st century? Have universities sought greater collaboration (North-North, North-South, or South-South) in order to meet these challenges? collaboration (North-North, North-South, or South-South) in order to meet these challenges? Have joint degrees, dual degrees, or sandwich programs addressed these issues? Have these Have joint degrees, dual degrees, or sandwich programs addressed these issues? Have these instances of collaboration succeeded or fail? Is brain drain still the dominant motivation for instances of collaboration succeeded or fail? Is brain drain still the dominant motivation for universities in developed countries in attracting students and faculty from developing universities in developed countries in attracting students and faculty from developing countries? Have the concepts of "brain gain" and "brain circulation" developed momentum? countries? Have the concepts of "brain gain" and "brain circulation" developed momentum? Are these phenomena in science and engineering disciplines different from those across the Are these phenomena in science and engineering disciplines different from those across the Academy? How has the enormous increase in private university development impacted the Academy? How has the enormous increase in private university development impacted the pipeline in science and engineering disciplines?pipeline in science and engineering disciplines?

Speakers: Carlos Azzoni, Dean of Economics, Universidade de Sao Paulo; G.B. Dielissen, Speakers: Carlos Azzoni, Dean of Economics, Universidade de Sao Paulo; G.B. Dielissen, Professor of Sociology, Universiteit Utrecht; Jan Persens, Director of International Relations, Professor of Sociology, Universiteit Utrecht; Jan Persens, Director of International Relations, University of the Western CapeUniversity of the Western Cape

Objectives FY 2008Objectives FY 2008 Conclude at least 3 external agreementsConclude at least 3 external agreements Pilot some approaches in the FY 2009 budgetPilot some approaches in the FY 2009 budget Continue Working Group (expand?)Continue Working Group (expand?) Catalyze new sets of collaborators throughout Catalyze new sets of collaborators throughout

developing countriesdeveloping countries Encourage “non-geographic” disciplinesEncourage “non-geographic” disciplines Further research on program models (sandwich, Further research on program models (sandwich,

computing, …)computing, …) Provide further visitation and outreachProvide further visitation and outreach Expand on “brown-bag” symposiaExpand on “brown-bag” symposia

Further InformationFurther Information

Wayne PattersonWayne Patterson

703-292-8189703-292-8189

wpatters@nsf.govwpatters@nsf.gov