From: "Swisher, Bob" <bswisher@ou.edu>
To: "'it-fyi@listserv.ou.edu'" <it-fyi@lists.ou.edu>
Subject: it-fyi: 5% Drop in Technology Grads (Chron of Higher Ed)
Date: Thu, 29 Apr 1999 09:12:45 -0500
Tuesday, April 27, 1999
Study Notes a 5-Per-Cent Drop in Technology Graduates
By JASON HUGHES
The number of students earning high-technology degrees from U.S.
institutions fell by 5 per cent from 1990 to 1996, according to a report
released Monday by the American Electronics Association, an industry
trade group. In addition, the report says,nearly half of the doctorates
in high technology in 1996 were awarded to foreign students.
Despite low unemployment rates in high-technology industries nationwide,
the association -- the largest technological trade group in the country
-- found that the number of students earning degrees in fields such as
computer science, engineering, engineering technology, mathematics, and
physics declined between 1990 and 1996, from almost 219,000 to 207,684.
Only one area studied by the group -- business information systems --
saw an increase in the number of degrees awarded, jumping from 13,048 in
1990 to 16,133 in 1996.
Among the states, California conferred the most degrees in
high-technology fields in 1996 with 20,809, but it also experienced one
of the greatest declines, awarding 1,600 fewer degrees than in 1990.
"What our research clearly shows is that the demand for technical
workers far exceeds the available supply," said William T. Archey the
electronics association's president, in the report. "The national
failure to develop sufficient technical talent could substantially
undermine the future growth of the U.S. electronics and
information-technology industry."
In 1996, 45 per cent of the 8,515 doctorates awarded in high-technology
fields were earned by foreigners studying in the United States, the
report said.
Members of the association can purchase copies of the report for $95,
and non-members for $190, by calling (800) 284-4232 or (408) 987-4200,
or by visiting the group's World-Wide Web site.
Copyright © 1999 by The Chronicle of Higher Education