Business Roundtable (BRT) and Harvard University, in partnership with Bloomberg, brought together seven BRT-member CEOs and seven presidents of prominent research universities for an innovation and jobs roundtable on Wednesday. During the private discussion, which took place at Bloomberg headquarters in Washington, participants identified common areas for policy action between the business and education communities, including: science-friendly immigration policy, a federal emphasis on basic research, patent reform and protection of intellectual property, and greater incentives for R&D. The session was moderated by Bloomberg Executive Washington Editor Al Hunt. In an interview with Bloomberg's Megan Hughes, BRT President John Engler emphasized the importance of innovation in economic growth.

The bipartisan approach that accomplished patent reform can be applied successfully toward research and development and immigration policy, Engler said.

 

 

BRT-member CEOs participating:

• James Goodnight, SAS Institute
• Ellen Kullman, DuPont
• John Lechleiter, Eli Lilly
• Theodore Solso, Cummins

Coverage ...

• Bloomberg, "US Urged to Halt Skilled-Worker Flight or Lose Innovation Lead"
• Bloomberg, "Cantor Tells CEOs ‘Alarming’ Skilled-Worker Exodus Needs Action"
• Bloomberg, "Congress Must Ensure Patent Office Funds, University Leaders Say"
• Bloomberg, "CEOs and College Presidents Talk Innovation and Jobs"
• Harvard Crimson, "Faust Joins Talks In D.C."

UPDATE (Oct. 10, 2011): Transcripts via Bloomberg:

• Lilly CEO Urges Extension of Research Tax Credit (Transcript)

• Obama Aide Outlines Ways to Promote Innovation (Transcript)

• Cantor Calls for Action on Skilled-Worker Exodus (Transcript)