The New York Academy of Sciences has recently released a report that redefines the global STEM crisis as a "STEM paradox": there are sufficient numbers of STEM graduates, but low numbers of grads who are actually prepared for work, "brain drain" from developing countries and the lack of women in STEM fields makes it impossible for employers to fill all their STEM job openings. The new report also outlines how partnerships between governments, corporations and institutions can solve problems in the STEM workforce pipeline.

Additional information on the Global STEM Alliance is available here: http://globalstemalliance.org/

To see Wim Elfrink, Executive Vice President, Industry Solutions & Chief Globalization Officer, discuss the initiative, visit: http://www.nyas.org/WhatWeDo/ScienceEd/GlobalSTEM.aspx

As a founding partner since 2013, Cisco is excited to support the Global STEM Alliance, an international collaboration of public and private entities that harnesses the collective mindshare of corporations, local and national governments, nonprofits, students and STEM leaders. This multimillion-dollar Alliance will bring together STEM professionals of different ages and cultures to develop often-missing foundational skills and adapt to specific environments. The Alliance will engage and prepare the next generation for careers that encourage global economic development and the innovation needed to address and overcome today's biggest challenges.

The Global STEM Alliance uses as its framework the creation of an ecosystem where governments, businesses, nonprofits and schools all work collaboratively to encourage students' interest in STEM and train them for the jobs of today -and tomorrow. The three critical elements of a strong STEM ecosystem are:

• Government policies that incentivize companies to invest in innovation and scientific research to create promising job opportunities for STEM graduates;
• A strong educational system that combines classroom learning with real-world experiences to give students both the technical and professional interpersonal skills they need to succeed; and
• A mentorship culture that infuses the entire population with an understanding of the importance of and opportunities that lie within STEM.

The Alliance is committing to mentoring 1,000,000 aspiring STEM leaders in over 100 countries by 2020, creating STEM leaders in developing nations and promoting economic development worldwide. The Alliance already has among its members corporate partners like Cisco and government partners like Malaysia, Benin and the city of Barcelona.

We live in a world that is more interconnected than ever before, and one that faces more complex problems than ever before. Separately, governments, educational institutions and organizations do not have the financial and knowledge resources to address these problems. That is why, for the problem of the STEM paradox, the Global STEM Alliance came into being. It reinforces Cisco's commitment to equipping current and future workforces across the globe with the skills that will foster economic development, leading to a more connected and prosperous world.