Washington  - Google chief executive Eric Schmidt was named Monday to President Barack Obama's Science and Technology Advisory Council, the White House announced.

Most of the other members of the panel are in academia or research positions. However, Google's main rival, Microsoft, also bagged a seat on the panel with Craig Mundie, the company's chief research and strategy officer.

The panel is charged with advising the president and formulating policy on areas of science, technology and innovation.

"This council represents leaders from many scientific disciplines who will bring a diversity of experience and views," said Obama in announcing the appointments. "I will charge PCAST with advising me about national strategies to nurture and sustain a culture of scientific innovation."

Schmidt's appointment had been widely expected after he served as an economics adviser to Obama during the transition and campaigned heavily for him during the 2008 campaign. (dpa)