[Air-l] Student of Concern

[Miraj Khaled]

Comments and/or action period ends on May 27.

miraj

/////

Student of Concern
Will we be more secure -- or just less competitive --
if the government forces hundreds of thousands of
international science students to get export licenses
simply to look through a microscope?
By CRISTI HEGRANES
http://www.sfweekly.com/issues/2005-05-18/news/feature.html?src=default_rss

[snip]

... New federal rules proposed by the Department of
Commerce in March could impede Gupta's access to
educational equipment and force him to apply for
government licenses to use specific technology in the
classroom, each of which could take months to acquire.
In fact, hundreds of thousands of international
students and scientists working and studying in the
U.S. could lose access to equipment and technology
that they have had routine use of until now.

Because Gupta is studying chemical engineering, he
will eventually encounter what the government calls
"dual-use technology" -- technology that has both
civilian and military applications. Under the new
Commerce Department proposal, the use of everything
from basic computer systems, semiconductors, and
training manuals to microscopes and telescopes will
require some international students to apply for
government licenses before they can legally have
access to or study the technology.

[snip]

*** Despite the potential for negative long-term
consequences from the new deemed export licensing
rules, their implementation will never be voted on in
the Senate or issued by executive order. Rather, the
State Department, which has full authority to
implement any export restriction it sees fit,
published the proposed rules for a 60-day discussion
period that will end on May 27. During that time the
department will take into consideration comments and
opinions from anyone interested enough to send one.
That is, if anyone is aware of the issue.

...As the 60-day discussion period goes on mostly
unnoticed, many worry that at this point, nothing can
be done about the proposed regulation of foreign
students as deemed exports. For students and educators
alike, the rules seem stifling and unfair ***

http://www.sfweekly.com/issues/2005-05-18/news/feature.html?src=default_rss




Miraj Khaled
============
techiemik at yahoo.com
mindexplorer.blogspot.com

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