Science seen as slipping in US (Houston Chronicle)

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

Begin forwarded message:

From: Tim Finin <finin () cs umbc edu>
Date: August 22, 2004 12:21:32 PM EDT
To: dave () farber net
Subject: Science seen as slipping in US (Houston Chronicle)

This is a good overview article from the front page of
today's Houston Chronicle.  tim

--
Science seen as slipping in U.S.
Visa hurdles are turning away foreign talent, experts argue
By ERIC BERGER, Houston Chronicle, 8/22
http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/page1/2751278

Hidden amid the hoopla of finding planets orbiting other
stars, decoding the human genome and discovering miracle
materials with nanotechnology, there's a seemingly
improbable but perhaps even more important story --
U.S. science may be in decline.

After 50 years of supremacy, both scientifically and
economically, America now faces formidable challenges from
foreign governments that have recognized scientific research
and new technology as the fuels of a powerful economy.

"The Chinese government has a slogan, 'Develop science to
save the country,' " said Paul Chu, a physics professor at
the University of Houston who also is president of Hong Kong
University of Science & Technology. "For a long time they
have talked about it. Now they are serious."

According to the National Science Foundation and other
organizations that track science indicators, the United
States' share of worldwide scientific and engineering
research publications, Nobel Prize awards, and some types of
patents is falling.

A recent trend in the number of foreign students applying to
U.S. schools is even more troubling, scientists say.

As American students have become less interested in science
and engineering, top U.S. graduate schools have turned
increasingly toward Europe and Asia for the best young
scientists to fill laboratories. Yet now, with post-Sept. 11
visa rules tightening American borders, fewer foreign
students are willing to endure the hassle of getting into
the country.

"Essentially, the United States is pushing the best students
from China and other countries away," Chu said.

...
http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/page1/2751278


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