M.R.C. Greenwood, UC provost and senior vice president for academic affairs, told members of Congress and staff Feb. 9 that investments in America's scientific, technological, and educational infrastructure are key to preserving economic and national security.

Addressing the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Education Caucus on Capitol Hill, Greenwood said American efforts to train a new generation of scientists and engineers pale in comparison to the initiatives being undertaken by China, Australia, Singapore, and many other nations around the world.

"The security of our nation is just as endangered by the loss of this scientific and technological leadership as it is by any terrorist attack or any threat from a rogue nuclear state," Greenwood said. "Simply put, we are on a trajectory to lose our national security as a consequence of losing our scientific and technological superiority."

Greenwood, who served as associate director in the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy and as chancellor of UC Santa Cruz before becoming UC provost, called for a national effort to advance education and research in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Such an effort could be modeled on the National Defense Education Act, passed by Congress in 1958 in response to the Soviet launch of Sputnik 1, she said.

"Today, even though we are probably in a worse environment with respect to our long-term technological prowess and security, it is much harder to raise awareness because the wolf is not so readily apparent at the door," Greenwood said.

"In addition to recommitting to a national investment in basic research, we need a bold new educational strategy -- with sufficient funding to implement it -- to encourage American students to pursue science as a career."

Greenwood noted to the caucus that the UC system has made a concerted effort in recent years to expand its enrollment of engineering and computer science students by more than 50 percent and is now beginning an effort to expand the training of high-quality math and science teachers for California's K-12 schools.