Defense Department Establishes Innovation Initiative
BU IN DC
Christine McGuire of Enrollment and Student Affairs participated in a meeting at the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators on November 12 and 13.
Lisa Tenerowicz of the Office of General Counsel and Kim Randall of the Equal Opportunity Office attended a conference on Title IX compliance hosted by EduRisk on November 11 and 12.
Joe Finkhouse of BU Global Programs attended the annual meeting of the U.S. Department of State’s Overseas Security Advisory Council between November 18 and 20.
DEFENSE DEPT. ESTABLISHES INNOVATION INITIATIVE
On November 15, Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel announced an innovation initiative for the Department of Defense (DOD), arguing that a new effort is needed to ensure DOD’s continued technological superiority at a time of declining planned defense spending. A key element of the effort will be the creation of a new Long-Range Research and Development Planning Program charged with helping to “identify, develop, and field breakthroughs in the most cutting-edge technologies and systems.” Secretary Hagel identified robotics, autonomous systems, miniaturization, big data, and advanced manufacturing as priority topics for DOD.
BUZZ BITS…
- Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee Chairman Tom Harkin (D-IA) introduced legislation to renew the Higher Education Act on Thursday. While his bill will not advance before Congress adjourns this year, the Chairman would like to stimulate discussion on issues ranging from the creation of a national student unit record data system to the modernization of campus-based aid programs.
- The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) announced that Congressman Rush Holt (D-NJ), a physicist who will retire from Congress this year, will be its next chief executive officer.
- The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) is looking for stories about NEH-sponsored research to celebrate the agency’s upcoming 50th anniversary.
MENTAL HEALTH INSTITUTE SEEKS STRATEGIC INPUT
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) of the National Institutes of Health has requested public comments on its draft 2015 strategic research plan. The agency is revising its 2008 plan to better reflect what its research priorities should be through 2020. NIMH is seeking input on new scientific advancements, novel technology, and major issues facing the mental health research community that may lead to critical breakthroughs in the next five years. Comments should be submitted by December 11.