WASHINGTON – In this globalized society, the need for intellectual collaboration across continents, cultures, institutions and disciplines is imperative in solving the scientific and technological mysteries that lie ahead, said panelists during the opening session Wednesday of the Higher Education Summit for Global Development at the Department of State.

Further explaining the need for collaboration among universities, business and foundations, Secretary of the Department of Energy Samuel Bodman said, “We are faced with a remarkable paradox. We need science and innovation to provide solutions to the problems that lie ahead, [yet] interest in science is waning. Reigniting the enthusiasm among young people in the areas science and mathematics is critical to a prosperous global future.”

The Higher Education Summit, sponsored by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), a government agency that provides foreign assistance and humanitarian aid to foreign countries, allows higher educational institutions in developed and underdeveloped countries, foundations and private-sector businesses to build partnerships.

Over the course of three days, high-ranking governmental officials such as Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings and Henrietta H. Fore, director of USAID, along with 200 college presidents from around the world and others will be discussing “best practices” for developing cross-cultural, cross-continental initiatives.

Fore encouraged attendees to make at least two partnerships. Following her own advice, Fore finalized a memorandum of understanding with the National Science Foundation ensuring a future relationship between the two organizations. The agreement will allow NSF, an organization that funds domestic scientific research, and USAID, an organization chartered to fund international research, to leverage their resources creating more opportunities for scientists and researchers both domestically and internationally.