 |
|
|
Welcome to the Fulbright Academy
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Science has radically changed the conditions of human life on earth. It has expanded our knowledge and our power, but not our capacity to use them with wisdom."
Senator J. William Fulbright, Old Myths and New Realities (1964)
The Fulbright Academy of Science & Technology (FAST) is a global organization established by alumni of the prestigious Fulbright Exchange Program and other members of the science and technology community. FAST expands knowledge and international understanding by linking leaders in science, business, government and academia. FAST uses the global Fulbright network to enhance innovation and advance education, research and policy.
The global financial crisis is having an impact on individuals as well as corporations, governments and foundations. In order to assure the financial well being of the Fulbright Academy, we are seeking small contributions from donors worldwide. Despite the banking turmoil, many people - Fulbright scholars and friends - are still in a position to make a $25, $60 or $100 contribution - or even more. Please support the Fulbright Academy through a personal on-line donation. For arranging an institutional membership, please click here.
Since 2006, FAST has facilitated dialogue among researchers, educators and executives and served as a virtual center for advanced study. Its programs cover a broad range of scientific fields as well as disciplines such as business, law and planning where science and technology are critical to advances in those fields. FAST is not affiliated with the Fulbright program, and it is not involved in the selection or the administration of the Fulbright exchanges. It is an independent non-profit organization, with individual and institutional members in over 50 countries. Some of our Institutional Members
We recently produced a short video about the Academy, our goals and mission (click here for the video). Filmed in Panama at our 2007 Annual Conference, it features some well-known scientists and Fulbright scholars. FAST programs have been supported by the US National Science Foundation, the US Department of Justice, UNESCO, the governments of Morocco and Panama, the Qatar Foundation, the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, Accenture, Vestas, and other businesses and organizations. FAST also receives support from institutional members and individual donors worldwide.
Through our conferences and other programs, we actively promote the innovations, ideas and work of Fulbright Scholars so that others can benefit from our expertise. Our 2007 Annual Conference in Panama examined the role of science in international development - with a focus on the UN Millennium Development Goals. Our 2008 Annual Conference in Boston in February focused on energy. The theme for the March 2009 conference in Macedonia is Economic Development & Innovation in Small Countries. FAST also has held workshops and discussions on topics such as nursing education, digital libraries, science diplomacy, environmental security and science literacy.
Here are some the leading alumni who have attended FAST conferences and programs. Due to space limitations, this list could not include the many leaders in the academic community - deans, associate deans, provosts, presidents, and distinguished professors.
- Ambassador Anthony Chorba, Former Ambassador of the US to Singapore
- Dr. Gordon Bell, Principal Researcher, Microsoft
- Dr. Yehuda Danon, Former Surgeon General of the State of Israel
- Ambassador Manuel Gutierrez-Ruiz, Former Ambassador of El Salvador to the United Kingdom
- Dr. David Lightfoot, Head of the Directorate for Social, Behavioral & Economic Sciences, US National Science Foundation
- Ms. Ana Maria Majano, Former Minister of Environment in El Salvador
- Dr. Dan McCleese, Chief Scientist at the NASA Jet Propulsion Lab
- Dr. Norman Neureiter, Director of the AAAS Center for Science, Technology & Security Policy
- Dr. Tanja Popovic, Chief Scientist at the US Centers for Disease Control & Prevention
- Mr. Philip Yeo, Chairman of Singapore's Agency for Science, Technology & Research
Some of the international leaders who have attended our programs. These individuals are not Fulbright scholars, but they have hosted visiting scholars or work with Fulbright scholars, and so are interested in the FAST network and FAST programs.
- Sir Harold Kroto, co-winner of the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1996
- Dr. Saif Al Hajari, Vice Chair of the Qatar Foundation, Qatar
- Dr. Eldredge Bermingham, Senior Staff Scientist at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Panama
- Dr. Rita Colwell, Former Director of the US National Science Foundation (NSF)
- Dr. Julio Escobar, Director of the National Secretariat for Science, Technology & Innovation, Panama
- Dr. Nina Fedoroff, Science & Technology Advisor to the US Secretary of State
- Ambassador Federico Humbert, Ambassador of Panama to the United States
- Mr. Lim Chuan Poh, Former Minister of Education, Singapore
- Dr. Julia Royal, Director of International Programs, US National Library of Medicine
- Ms. Latifa Tricha, Minister of Higher Education & Scientific Research, Morocco
- Dr. John Van Oudenaren, Senior advisor for the World Digital Library Initiative at the US Library of Congress
FAST supports the advancement of knowledge and international understanding by linking and supporting the current generation of leaders in science and technology from around the world. More than a social networking organization, this network of prestigious scholars addresses issues of critical concern – health, education, environment and economic development. The alumni and their colleagues play a critical role in advancing education, research, policy and commerce. Please join us in working with these alumni - to create an organization and network that finds practical solutions to problems facing humanity today. For examples of our work, please see our newsletter.
Every year the Fulbright Exchange Program invests in the talents and aspirations of over 6,000 students, researchers, professionals, teachers and scholars from around the world. By traveling overseas to study, teach or conduct research, these select individuals are challenged to use the power of learning not just for themselves, but also for the larger purpose of understanding others and building connections among people. (click here to see some of their books)
Sign up for our free newsletter, and please consider a membership in the Academy. The newsletter and membership is not limited to Fulbright scholars; it is open to any individual or entity that is interested in the international dimensions of social science, natural and life sciences, engineering, technology innovation, and economic development.
On this website you can learn about our programs, Fulbright grants, and our community of alumni and colleagues. You can also share your experiences. If you were a Fulbrighter (or worked with one), please submit a story to our on-line collection of memories and Fulbright experiences.
The Fulbright Academy has relationships with businesses, academic institutions and non-governmental organizations worldwide. FAST is a 501-c-3 non-profit membership organization. It is not affiliated with the US State Department, the Fulbright Exchange Program or the Fulbright Association. We are a global organization, and we welcome your participation.
If you have specific questions or comments or would like to make a donation, please call, write or email.
Become a member and support the work of the Fulbright Academy - click here.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LINKS TO PROGRAMS / MEETINGS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"FAST is a Blast" - A 10-minute video about FAST
Filmed in Panama, March 2007
On-line Registeration: 4th Annual Conference
UPCOMING EVENTS:
FAST 4th Annual Conference
Small Places Can Change the World - Sci & Tech based Economic Development in Small Countries
Click here to submit your abstract
Skopje, Macedonia - March 23-27, 2009
Schedule of Proposed Programs for 2009 (PDF file)
Please use this service for all of your hotel needs. FAST receives a small commission bookings through this site.
RECENTLY COMPLETED EVENTS:
FAST Alumni Lunch & Autumn Retreat
Distinguished Alumni Lunch & Program for FAST Friends
Host: University of Illinois at Chicago
Chicago - November 14, 2008
A*STAR-Fulbright Academy Conference
Futuropolis 2058: Creating Sustainable Urban
Environments Through Innovation
Singapore - October 20-22, 2008
Singapore Conference Flier
Fulbright Academy Conference
Fulbright Scholars: Energy & Innovation (150+ attendees)
Boston, MA - February 14-17, 2008 (Thursday - Sunday)
2008 FAST Health Workshop
Nursing, Health & Environment in the Mid East (90+ attendees)
Doha, Qatar - March 23-25, 2008
PUCE-Fulbright Symposium
Environmental Impact (75+ attendees)
Quito, Ecuador, January 2008
FAST @ International Coral Reef Symposium
Reception for Fulbright alumni, July 9, 2008 (50+ attendees)
Informal Program in Los Angeles - CSU-Northridge
Lab Tours, Networking, and Maybe Stay for Dinner
Los Angeles - Northridge, San Fernando Valley - July 26, 2008
FAST @ American Pschological Association Conference
Co-hosting programs on August14-15
Boston, MA, August 14-17, 2008
Letter of invitation from APA (pdf)
FAST @ 3rd National Innovation Conference
Fulbright Alumni - speakers at the conference
For details, please email info@FulbrightAcademy.org
San Salvador, El Salvador, Sept. 18-19, 2008
|
|
|
|
|
