STAS VISIT: S&T RESEARCH GOALS AND CHALLENGES

UNCLAS LIMA 000336 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR STAS, WHA/AND,/EPSC (Boyer, Bando, Corneille),EB/ESC/IEC (Izzo) DEPT FOR OES/STC (PBates),S/P (GManuel) TREASURY FOR J. LEVINE STATE PASS TO EXIM, OPIC, TDA DEPT OF ENERGY FOR S. LADISLAW USGS FOR J. WEAVER ENERGY INFORMATION ADMINISTRATION FOR CHARLES ESSER E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OEXC OSCI EINV TSPL ETRD ECON PGOV SENV PE SUBJECT: STAS VISIT: S&T RESEARCH GOALS AND CHALLENGES ¶1. SUMMARY: Science and Technology Adviser to the Secretary (STAS) Dr. George Atkinson and delegation visited Peru on November 2 to survey S&T capabilities. The delegation met with the GOP's S&T innovation agency CONCYTEC, the National Engineering and Agrarian Universities, and the National Geographic Institute. Research and development, as well as science and engineering education, are underfunded in Peru, but are a new priority for President Garcia. The agencies and universities appear aligned with Garcia's goals of stimulating economic development in poor areas. Research foci in the next five years will concentrate on textiles, water and agriculture. A new IDB loan will help support S&T innovation in small enterprises. A universal theme was the desire for more cooperation with U.S. universities and research institutions. END SUMMARY. ¶2. The STAS Delegation visited Lima on November 2 as the first leg of a multi-nation science and technology assessment. STAS Adviser George Atkinson was accompanied by a delegation that included Deputy Adviser Andrew Reynolds, Jefferson Science Fellows Dr. Kim Boyer and Dr. Edward Samulski, Dr. Lee Schwartz, the Department Geographer, STAS AAAS Fellow Dr. Christina McCain, and UPenn cancer researcher Nathan Singh. The delegation's objective, constrained by one day in Lima, was to briefly survey current science and technology (S&T) capabilities in Peru by visiting key universities and research centers responsible for education, basic R&D, innovations, and incubation of new business. The delegation was also interested in exploring the relationship between innovation and economic development in the country. National Engineering University and Hydraulics Lab -------------- -------------- ¶3. The STAS Delegation visited the Science Department's Research Institute at the Universidad National de Ingeneria (UNI). Professors stressed a critical deficiency in the engineering education system, especially limited research funding. They also cited inadequate exchange programs with U.S. universities; only isolated opportunities are created by direct contact from U.S. 
alumni. (Note: the professors had a limited awareness of the Fulbright program but in any event said Peru needed many more opportunities.) Universities from Switzerland and France have some exchange programs, but most students go to Brazil on fellowships. There is no national program for grants and GOP agency CONCYTEC (The National Council for Science and Technology) handles only 300 fellowship grants in all facilities and disciplines of the public university system. Funding constraints are the main reason, they said, for Peru's inability to produce quality engineers in the mining and hydrocarbons. ¶4. At the National Hydraulic Laboratory, the delegation saw their latest irrigation pilot project, a full-scale hydraulic model for remediation of heavy metal contamination and soil erosion. Though underfunded, the GOP is prioritizing irrigation research to boost agricultural exports. An important research focus was mitigating the water-related effects of the El Nino phenomenon, which historically has resulted in flooding of the coast and drought on the moist eastern side of the Andes. (A mild El Nino is currently occurring in Peru.) NATIONAL COUNCIL OF SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION -------------- -------------- ¶5. The delegation met with CONCYTEC, the GOP agency that promotes S&T innovation. CONCYTEC's long term plan for innovation that will coordinate with other strategic plans such as the National Competitiveness Plan, as well as Regional government, Social Development and Environmental sustainability plans. The plan was begun under the Toledo administration (2000-2005),but as amended, aligns with President Garcia's development priorities for both the poor and the nation's most promising export sectors: forestry, biodiversity (medicines, biofuels),textiles, Alpaca wool production, aquaculture (shrimp in the north, trout in the south), mining and agriculture. ¶6. CONCYTEC representatives explained how Peru would use a $36 million Interamerican Development Bank (IDB) loan package to the GOP for S&T development. The loan is designed to offset the current disincentive for investments in technological innovation; it will leverage private sector funding for innovation in textiles, agriculture and fishing/fish farming. At least $18 million of the IDB loan will be disbursed as matching grants for technological research by universities or research institutions. The rest will be used as loans to private firms or local governments to for ¶1. SUMMARY: Science and Technology Adviser to the Secretary (STAS) Dr. George Atkinson and delegation visited Peru on November 2 to survey S&T capabilities. The delegation met with the GOP's S&T innovation agency CONCYTEC, the National Engineering and Agrarian Universities, and the National Geographic Institute. Research and development, as well as science and engineering education, are underfunded in Peru, but are a new priority for President Garcia. The agencies and universities appear aligned with Garcia's goals of stimulating economic development in poor areas. Research foci in the next five years will concentrate on textiles, water and agriculture. A new IDB loan will help support S&T innovation in small enterprises. A universal theme was the desire for more cooperation with U.S. universities and research institutions. END SUMMARY. ¶2. The STAS Delegation visited Lima on November 2 as the first leg of a multi-nation science and technology assessment. STAS Adviser George Atkinson was accompanied by a delegation that included Deputy Adviser Andrew Reynolds, Jefferson Science Fellows Dr. Kim Boyer and Dr. Edward Samulski, Dr. Lee Schwartz, the Department Geographer, STAS AAAS Fellow Dr. Christina McCain, and UPenn cancer researcher Nathan Singh. The delegation's objective, constrained by one day in Lima, was to briefly survey current science and technology (S&T) capabilities in Peru by visiting key universities and research centers responsible for education, basic R&D, innovations, and incubation of new business. The delegation was also interested in exploring the relationship between innovation and economic development in the country. National Engineering University and Hydraulics Lab -------------- -------------- ¶3. The STAS Delegation visited the Science Department's Research Institute at the Universidad National de Ingeneria (UNI). Professors stressed a critical deficiency in the engineering education system, especially limited research funding. They also cited inadequate exchange programs with U.S. universities; only isolated opportunities are created by direct contact from U.S. alumni. (Note: the professors had a limited awareness of the Fulbright program but in any event said Peru needed many more opportunities.) Universities from Switzerland and France have some exchange programs, but most students go to Brazil on fellowships. There is no national program for grants and GOP agency CONCYTEC (The National Council for Science and Technology) handles only 300 fellowship grants in all facilities and disciplines of the public university system. Funding constraints are the main reason, they said, for Peru's inability to produce quality engineers in the mining and hydrocarbons. ¶4. At the National Hydraulic Laboratory, the delegation saw their latest irrigation pilot project, a full-scale hydraulic model for remediation of heavy metal contamination and soil erosion. Though underfunded, the GOP is prioritizing irrigation research to boost agricultural exports. An important research focus was mitigating the water-related effects of the El Nino phenomenon, which historically has resulted in flooding of the coast and drought on the moist eastern side of the Andes. (A mild El Nino is currently occurring in Peru.) technological innovation. A multi-sector executive council will direct the program, with a CONCYTEC official as president. MEETING AT NATIONAL AGRARIAN UNIVERSITY (UNALM) -------------- ¶7. UNALM contacts included Dr. Igancio Lombardi, the delegated Scientific Authority for the mahogany listing under the Convention Against Trafficking in Endangered Species (CITES). UNALM ag researchers were enthusiastic about President Garcia's emphasis on developing efficient crops for the impoverished mountain and jungle residents. Researchers in crop science for Peru's diverse environments -- arid coast, high mountains and soil-poor jungle - were optimistic about future innovations in agricultural productivity but concerned about lack of research funding. Silva culturists are researching forest plantations and some of the fast-growing trees and other plants that hold promise for biofuels and wood products. FUNDING FOR MAHOGANY RESEARCH? -------------- ¶8. UNALM hosts complained of few opportunities to work with the U.S. universities they held in high esteem. Dr. Lombardi noted that ¶1. SUMMARY: Science and Technology Adviser to the Secretary (STAS) Dr. George Atkinson and delegation visited Peru on November 2 to survey S&T capabilities. The delegation met with the GOP's S&T innovation agency CONCYTEC, the National Engineering and Agrarian Universities, and the National Geographic Institute. Research and development, as well as science and engineering education, are underfunded in Peru, but are a new priority for President Garcia. The agencies and universities appear aligned with Garcia's goals of stimulating economic development in poor areas. Research foci in the next five years will concentrate on textiles, water and agriculture. A new IDB loan will help support S&T innovation in small enterprises. A universal theme was the desire for more cooperation with U.S. universities and research institutions. END SUMMARY. ¶2. The STAS Delegation visited Lima on November 2 as the first leg of a multi-nation science and technology assessment. STAS Adviser George Atkinson was accompanied by a delegation that included Deputy Adviser Andrew Reynolds, Jefferson Science Fellows Dr. Kim Boyer and Dr. Edward Samulski, Dr. Lee Schwartz, the Department Geographer, STAS AAAS Fellow Dr. Christina McCain, and UPenn cancer researcher Nathan Singh. The delegation's objective, constrained by one day in Lima, was to briefly survey current science and technology (S&T) capabilities in Peru by visiting key universities and research centers responsible for education, basic R&D, innovations, and incubation of new business. The delegation was also interested in exploring the relationship between innovation and economic development in the country. National Engineering University and Hydraulics Lab -------------- -------------- ¶3. The STAS Delegation visited the Science Department's Research Institute at the Universidad National de Ingeneria (UNI). Professors stressed a critical deficiency in the engineering education system, especially limited research funding. They also cited inadequate exchange programs with U.S. universities; only isolated opportunities are created by direct contact from U.S. alumni. (Note: the professors had a limited awareness of the Fulbright program but in any event said Peru needed many more opportunities.) Universities from Switzerland and France have some exchange programs, but most students go to Brazil on fellowships. There is no national program for grants and GOP agency CONCYTEC (The National Council for Science and Technology) handles only 300 fellowship grants in all facilities and disciplines of the public university system. Funding constraints are the main reason, they said, for Peru's inability to produce quality engineers in the mining and hydrocarbons. ¶4. At the National Hydraulic Laboratory, the delegation saw their latest irrigation pilot project, a full-scale hydraulic model for remediation of heavy metal contamination and soil erosion. Though underfunded, the GOP is prioritizing irrigation research to boost agricultural exports. An important research focus was mitigating the water-related effects of the El Nino phenomenon, which historically has resulted in flooding of the coast and drought on the moist eastern side of the Andes. (A mild El Nino is currently occurring in Peru.) his inventory of mahogany, as well as species such as cedar that are also threatened by overlogging, could use more funding and U.S. assistance. Dr. Lombardi emphasized deforestation as an important problem, as well as the lack of adequately incorporating economic valuation of forests and needs of local communities in forest management. He noted that President Garcia's government is focusing on reforestation in mountain habitats, envisioning his "Highland Exporter" program as a way to promote export of mountain livestock and crops. The scientists agreed on the need to find alternatives to the coca production which is causing deforestation and pollution. NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC INSTITUTE -------------- ¶9. Embassy's U.S. National Geospatial Agency (NGA) representative hosted Geographer Schwartz and others for a visit to Peru's National Institute of Geography. The director agreed to explore the delegation's suggestion that the Institute work with CONCYTEC and UNI to coordinate mapping tools for development priorities such as aquaculture and watershed management, using the IDB loan. The director lauded NGA's support for many years for mapping technology. Although the Institute is not at the cutting edge of mapping and imagery analysis, with NGA help it has a great deal of untapped ¶1. SUMMARY: Science and Technology Adviser to the Secretary (STAS) Dr. George Atkinson and delegation visited Peru on November 2 to survey S&T capabilities. The delegation met with the GOP's S&T innovation agency CONCYTEC, the National Engineering and Agrarian Universities, and the National Geographic Institute. Research and development, as well as science and engineering education, are underfunded in Peru, but are a new priority for President Garcia. The agencies and universities appear aligned with Garcia's goals of stimulating economic development in poor areas. Research foci in the next five years will concentrate on textiles, water and agriculture. A new IDB loan will help support S&T innovation in small enterprises. A universal theme was the desire for more cooperation with U.S. universities and research institutions. END SUMMARY. ¶2. The STAS Delegation visited Lima on November 2 as the first leg of a multi-nation science and technology assessment. STAS Adviser George Atkinson was accompanied by a delegation that included Deputy Adviser Andrew Reynolds, Jefferson Science Fellows Dr. Kim Boyer and Dr. Edward Samulski, Dr. Lee Schwartz, the Department Geographer, STAS AAAS Fellow Dr. Christina McCain, and UPenn cancer researcher Nathan Singh. The delegation's objective, constrained by one day in Lima, was to briefly survey current science and technology (S&T) capabilities in Peru by visiting key universities and research centers responsible for education, basic R&D, innovations, and incubation of new business. The delegation was also interested in exploring the relationship between innovation and economic development in the country. National Engineering University and Hydraulics Lab -------------- -------------- ¶3. The STAS Delegation visited the Science Department's Research Institute at the Universidad National de Ingeneria (UNI). Professors stressed a critical deficiency in the engineering education system, especially limited research funding. They also cited inadequate exchange programs with U.S. universities; only isolated opportunities are created by direct contact from U.S. alumni. (Note: the professors had a limited awareness of the Fulbright program but in any event said Peru needed many more opportunities.) Universities from Switzerland and France have some exchange programs, but most students go to Brazil on fellowships. There is no national program for grants and GOP agency CONCYTEC (The National Council for Science and Technology) handles only 300 fellowship grants in all facilities and disciplines of the public university system. Funding constraints are the main reason, they said, for Peru's inability to produce quality engineers in the mining and hydrocarbons. ¶4. At the National Hydraulic Laboratory, the delegation saw their latest irrigation pilot project, a full-scale hydraulic model for remediation of heavy metal contamination and soil erosion. Though underfunded, the GOP is prioritizing irrigation research to boost agricultural exports. An important research focus was mitigating the water-related effects of the El Nino phenomenon, which historically has resulted in flooding of the coast and drought on the moist eastern side of the Andes. (A mild El Nino is currently occurring in Peru.) potential, and some comparative advantages that could be used to integrate its geospatial research and production capacity with S&T development in Peru, especially bio-resources, aquaculture, hydrology, forestry and sustainable development. (Comment: In that sense, the Institute is fairly unique among South American institutions in its relationship with NGA. End Comment.) MEETING WITH DCM -------------- ¶10. STAS Atkinson and Science Fellow Samulski described the Jefferson Science Fellows Program to the DCM, emphasizing the potential for Fellows to spend time at an embassy working on a predetermined project. The DCM was receptive, noting that Embassy Lima often has finite, well-defined technical/engineering-oriented project needs that a practicing scientist could readily move along. COMMENT -------------- ¶11. The delegation found well-trained Peruvian scientists and engineers who hunger for more interaction with the U.S. organizations they admire so much. Most of the representatives we talked with were relatively unaware of Mission-supported programs ¶1. SUMMARY: Science and Technology Adviser to the Secretary (STAS) Dr. George Atkinson and delegation visited Peru on November 2 to survey S&T capabilities. The delegation met with the GOP's S&T innovation agency CONCYTEC, the National Engineering and Agrarian Universities, and the National Geographic Institute. Research and development, as well as science and engineering education, are underfunded in Peru, but are a new priority for President Garcia. The agencies and universities appear aligned with Garcia's goals of stimulating economic development in poor areas. Research foci in the next five years will concentrate on textiles, water and agriculture. A new IDB loan will help support S&T innovation in small enterprises. A universal theme was the desire for more cooperation with U.S. universities and research institutions. END SUMMARY. ¶2. The STAS Delegation visited Lima on November 2 as the first leg of a multi-nation science and technology assessment. STAS Adviser George Atkinson was accompanied by a delegation that included Deputy Adviser Andrew Reynolds, Jefferson Science Fellows Dr. Kim Boyer and Dr. Edward Samulski, Dr. Lee Schwartz, the Department Geographer, STAS AAAS Fellow Dr. Christina McCain, and UPenn cancer researcher Nathan Singh. The delegation's objective, constrained by one day in Lima, was to briefly survey current science and technology (S&T) capabilities in Peru by visiting key universities and research centers responsible for education, basic R&D, innovations, and incubation of new business. The delegation was also interested in exploring the relationship between innovation and economic development in the country. National Engineering University and Hydraulics Lab -------------- -------------- ¶3. The STAS Delegation visited the Science Department's Research Institute at the Universidad National de Ingeneria (UNI). Professors stressed a critical deficiency in the engineering education system, especially limited research funding. They also cited inadequate exchange programs with U.S. universities; only isolated opportunities are created by direct contact from U.S. alumni. (Note: the professors had a limited awareness of the Fulbright program but in any event said Peru needed many more opportunities.) Universities from Switzerland and France have some exchange programs, but most students go to Brazil on fellowships. There is no national program for grants and GOP agency CONCYTEC (The National Council for Science and Technology) handles only 300 fellowship grants in all facilities and disciplines of the public university system. Funding constraints are the main reason, they said, for Peru's inability to produce quality engineers in the mining and hydrocarbons. ¶4. At the National Hydraulic Laboratory, the delegation saw their latest irrigation pilot project, a full-scale hydraulic model for remediation of heavy metal contamination and soil erosion. Though underfunded, the GOP is prioritizing irrigation research to boost agricultural exports. An important research focus was mitigating the water-related effects of the El Nino phenomenon, which historically has resulted in flooding of the coast and drought on the moist eastern side of the Andes. (A mild El Nino is currently occurring in Peru.) such as Fulbright, IVP, TDA and FAS programs. ESTHoff is following up with PAS to forward packets of materials to each of the institutions with whom we met. The time is ripe for USG cooperation in water research, for example to improve production of agricultural products, many of which are exported to the U.S. With a steady increase in U.S. investment in mining and hydrocarbons, improving engineering education would benefit both nations. USAID, FAS, FCS and ESTHoff will work with CONCYTEC and the universities with whom we met to explore areas for future cooperation, and how the Environmental Cooperation Agreement that would accompany the Peru Trade Promotion Act could be used to foster S&T cooperation. As a result of the recent Forest Transparency Workshop held in Lima, OES is organizing a voluntary visitor program for foresters to visit Yale University and other centers of U.S. forestry excellence. Post will also explore how a Jefferson Science Fellow and/or AAAS Fellow could help advance mutual interests. ¶14. This cable was cleared with the STAS delegation. STRUBLE