Downolad the report.
According to a Science magazine (Volume 311, Number 5757, Issue of 06 January 2006) Random Sample:
"A new study suggests that data used to bolster claims that the United States is losing its technological edge over other countries are off the mark.
"It has been widely quoted that the U.S. awards only 70,000 B.S. engineering degrees each year, whereas India churns out 350,000 and China 650,000.....But a group at Duke University group led by sociologist Gary Gereffi and high tech entrepreneur Vivek Wadhwa suggests that any degree disparity may actually favor the U.S.
"After much legwork, the researchers obtained degree data from India's National Association of Software and Service Companies, China's Ministry of Education, and individual universities in both countries. The numbers, it turned out, include information technology and computer science degrees, as well as graduates of 2- and 3-year programs. When the researchers broadened the U.S. definition of engineering degrees accordingly, the U.S. total grew threefold, to 221,000 degrees. The group also found that India's figures double-counted many students and were based on estimated enrollments, suggesting that 215,000 would be more accurate.
"A revised per capita comparison gives the United States a considerable lead over both countries (see graphic, below). Gereffi says that the data don't change the fact that the United States should be concerned about its competitiveness. 'I'm not saying we don't have a problem," he says. "All we wanted to do is set the record straight.'"
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