A growing percentage of Americans believe the United States will be unable to compete technologically with emerging powers in the coming decades, according to a survey released last week.

The survey, commissioned by Duke University's Pratt School of Engineering and conducted by Hart Research Associates, found that only 49 percent of the 808 adults polled from Jan. 22-25 believed U.S. engineers would lead the way in technological advances during the 21st century.

Of those who said America's ability to compete technologically would decline, 55 percent viewed the situation as temporary, while 39 percent said the decline would last longer.

"Americans understand that innovation is critical to their future but also recognize that our country's continued leadership isn't assured just because we invented everything from the airplane to the personal computer," Thomas Katsouleas, dean of the Pratt School of Engineering, said in a statement. "The survey shows that when Americans focus on how central engineers are to solving our biggest problems, they come to view the discipline as essential and want to attract more talented young people to it."

Respondents cited increased job training, a greater emphasis on teaching math and science, and tougher standards for public school teachers as the best ways to improve U.S. global competitiveness. But the survey found that respondents were much less likely to endorse tax breaks for business and investment. Respondents also were lukewarm about expanding U.S. immigration policies to attract foreign engineers, the Duke/Hart survey found.

More than half of the respondents (58 percent) said the perception that the engineering profession is a difficult field requiring lengthy schooling and providing relatively low pay, even for those who succeed, has made it a less attractive career choice among U.S. students.

By: DocMemory
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