Rump Session 1: Strategic Research and Engineering Innovation

Advances in telecommunication and information technologies are fueled by engineering innovations arising from strategic research. Strategic research may be defined as that mission-oriented research which pursues specific and realistic goals leading to practical applications. Prior to the telecom bubble of year 2000, much of the strategic research was conducted in the industry, while the academe pursued largely fundamental research leading to knowledge acquisition. Globalization and competition led to the dissolution of much of the fundamental and long-range strategic research in the industry, leaving the work to be carried out in the academe supported by government agencies. This rump session will examine the present global research environment in IT and telecom industries, addressing issues relating to industrial and societal needs, incremental and disruptive applications, funding processes and efficiencies, long-range strategic visions, and other matters of cogent interest.