Ann Liebschutz, executive director of the United States-Israel Science and Technology Foundation (USISTF), discussed USISTF’s mission and the Foundation’s work as a model for international science and technology cooperation in front of an audience of MBA students at leading universities.

On Jan. 29, 2011, Ms. Liebschutz presented at the 2011 Israeli Business Conference, hosted by the Jewish Business Alliance at Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business. She provided a high-level overview of the importance of long-term strategic planning and leveraging R&D and technology innovation into traditional industry sectors.

Citing the Foundation’s efforts to help Israel rank in the top fifteen of the World Economic Forum’s World Competitiveness Index, Ms. Liebschutz spotlighted the Foundation’s visionary publication “Israel 2028: Vision and Strategy.” As a case in point, she noted the tremendous success of the biofuel industry’s collaborative exchange.

Similarly, on Feb. 17, 2011, Ms. Liebschutz educated MBA students participating in the University of Maryland’s 2011 Israel Global Entrepreneurship Technology Fellowship about   entrepreneurship opportunities and programs developed by Israel’s Office of Chief Scientist of the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Labor.

The 10-week fellowship, supported by USISTF, is organized by the university’s Dingman Center for Entrepreneurship and Technion, a leading science and technology research university. The program is aimed at increasing partnerships and opportunities for MBA students to develop commercialization strategies.

Audience members left the events with a clear understanding of how USISTF connects Israeli enterprises with U.S. state and local governments and companies for mutually beneficial business partnerships.