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The Educational Challenge
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# : |
14779 |
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Section : |
NATURAL SCIENCE
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| Issue
Date : |
11 / 1988 |
2,431 Words |
| Author
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Lawrence P. Grayson
Lawrence P. Grayson is president of the American Society for
Engineering Education. He has served on the staff of
Congressman Jack Kemp and as adviser on mathematics, science,
and technology to the director of the National Institute of
Education. |
"Economic competition among nations is a technical competition, and technical competition has become an educational competition.” This statement, made in 1960 by Japan's Economic Council, emphasizes the importance that nation has placed on education for the development of the country. America, which traditionally recognized this relationship, has in recent years let the quality of its educational system decline.
As markets have become more global and commercial opportunities have grown rapidly, firms in other nations have become aggressive and highly competitive. Foreign firms now present a significant challenge to American companies. Basic domestic industries, such as steel, aluminum, chemicals, machine tools, petroleum, and semiconductors, as well as manufacturers of electronics, automobiles, and other consumer goods, are facing strong competition. Furthermore, many countries are targeting computers, telecommunications, aerospace equipment, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and other high-technology industries for future economic growth.
Advances in technology can provide the nation's industries with a competitive edge in virtually every area for the U.S. economy, both in domestic and overseas markets. Technology assures our national defense. It is the basis for improvements in agriculture, health care, transportation, and housing, and is the key to a rising standard of living for all Americans. Technology is the foundation upon which much of this nation's commercial strategy and capabilities must continue to rely.
The success of American businesses in developing and using technology wisely and productively will be determined by the quality of their work forces, which to a significant degree is dependent on the education of the American people. Education is not the only factor affecting economic growth, but clearly, it is an essential one. It is people, after all, who have new ideas, create technologies, devise processes, operate and maintain systems, make investments, and take the risks inherent in competing in international markets.
The United States must continue to lead in the creation of new knowledge and talent, and thus in university education and research. The nation's colleges and universities must remain at the leading edge of discoveries and help to create a solid foundation of research in science and technology as a basis for the products, services, companies, and industries of the future. They also must educate adequate numbers of scientists and engineers, men and women with talent and vision, who can lead and
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