The UK's 110,000-member Institution of Electrical Engineers (IEE) will absorb the 20,000-member Institution of Manufacturing Engineers (IMfgE) on October 1, a move that may strengthen Engineering's voice in the European market. A further merger with the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) is expected in two or three years. [George Likourezos, IEEE Spectrum, 7/91.]

Developing countries may get help with software technology needs from a research and training center in Macau, to be established by United Nations University, Portugal, China, and the Governor of Macau. [IEEE Expert, 6/91.]

Chips and Technologies (San Jose, CA), under the name Summit Systems, is selling computers in the Soviet Union. While others went after 100,000-PC government orders (and failed), Summit is selling 20-30 computers at a time in the outlying republics. Their 35-technician factory is in partnership with the Minsk airport, which keeps shipping costs and thefts low and provides convenient access to customs. Marketing is through JV Dialog, a Soviet-American software distributor with 47 sales offices. (JVD knew that Soviets wouldn't pay big money for small boxes, so the computers have been made twice the usual size.) There are constant problems, especially now that no one seems to be in charge, but the company hopes to bring in $10M this year. [Tom Schmitz, SJ Mercury, 6/16.] (Sounds like JVD would be a great partner if you want to sell software to the Soviets.)

The Nanyang Technological Institute (NTI) in Singapore has been renamed the Nanyang Technological University (NTU). Its School of Applied Science is looking for staff in computer technology (architectures, CAD, image processing, AI, robotics, distributed systems, etc.), with preference for combined hardware/software expertise. Salaries range from US$31K to $85K plus bonus and outside consulting. Contact tfwang@ntivax.bitnet for details. [IEEE Spectrum, 7/91.]