Reaction or main idea

Question

Q. Post one main idea or reaction and explain in detail why you chose that specific part to share.

There's been a lot of discussion about a recent statistic that in 2004, 25950,000 engineers graduated in China and India, while only 70,000 gradu­ated in the U.S. But those numbers are wildly off the mark. If you exclude the car mechanics and repairmen-who are all counted as engineers in Chinese and Indian statistics-it turns out, the United States trains more engineers per capita than either of the Asian giants.

The real issue is that most of these American engineers are immigrants. 26Foreign students and immigrants account for almost 50 percent of all sci­ ence researchers in the United States. In 2006, they received 40 percent of all Ph.D.'s. When these graduates settle in the U.S., they create economic opportunity.The potential for a new burst of American productivity depends not on our educa­ tion system or R&D spending, but on our immigration policies. If these people are allowed to come to the U.S. and then encouraged to stay, then innovation will happen here. If they leave, they'll take it with them.

America's Great Strength

This openness is America's great strength. The U.S. remains the most open, 28flexible society in the world, able to absorb other people, cultures, ideas, goods, and services.The rise of the rest of the world is one of the most thrilling stories in 29history. Billions of people are escaping from poverty. The world will be enriched as they become consumers, producers, inventors, thinkers, dream­ ers, and doers.

This is all happening because of American ideas and actions. For 60 30years, the United States has pushed countries to open their markets, free

up their politics, and embrace trade and technology. American diplomats, business people, and intellectuals have urged people in distant lands to be unafraid of change, to join the advanced world, to learn the secrets of our success.

Answer 1

Hello, Kev,

I'm not sure what you are looking for, but I'll add a couple of comments based on my experience with immigrant engineers and scientists. My PhD is from the Univ of Illinois, and a Bachelor's degree from Indiana University. Both schools had a large number of foreign students in the STEM subjects. They did well, having come with solid training from their home countries, but also had the adreneline to do well in the US. I've had over 35 years of experience in industrial R&D, and have found that immigrants work hard and well. They certainly contribute a lot to the innovation economy in the US.

Higher wages in the US are another appeal, but countries such as China are targeting these workers with attractive offers to move back to their home countries. Guarantees of good salaries and covered relocation expenses make relocation attractive.

The US should welcome all immigrants who want to contribute. I generally agree with your points about a strong government, open society, and standrd of living being atteactive draws for people. Those advantages have been eroded over the past decade, however. It makes less difference where they were trained, than what motivations they bring.

Bob