[Hodar]

.E. a engineering degree in china or india is more likely less then the US standard, and that would mean that india and chinas numbers are inflated, more over, that the idea of a big gap is a myth being perpetuated.

Ok, I'm an engineer with 18years under my belt. And I disagree with you, and this is why

1. Have you looked at what passes for education in US schools? We have College students who have never heard of Calculus; while both India and China do this in Jr. High School.
2. US schools can't bend over far enough for the LOSERS in life. We glady graduate students who cannot read, who perform at a 4th grade level in Math, and barely a 6th grade in Science.
3. Our Culture is one of immediate gratification. Discipline is non-existant. This is NOT true for the Chinese and Indians.
4. Schools in India and China are geared to the TOP achievers. If you can't keep up, you can die on the street or work in a factory. There is REAL INCENTIVE to learn, to grow and to better yourself. This concept is totally alien to today's student.

Now, why is this important? Well, for one thing; we are importing talent with no dedication to this country. Think of it as hiring mercinaries who are paid to learn our best technology. These 'mercinaries' have NO loyalty to this country, and will take their pay and their skills back home with them in just a few years. What a cheap way for a poor country to improve their labor force!! Go to America, they will train you, they will pay you more than you can make at home. And when you come 'home', you will use what you have learned in the USA to compete against the USA.

And finally, Engineering is very HARD. Math, physics, design, software ... it's one of the harder degrees you can earn. And for busting your butt, you do not have job security, you do not get high pay, and the requirements placed on you to graduate with the engineering degree are higher than in almost any other area of study. Why bother? A business degree is far easier, the pay and job security are comparable; why would one go into the technical field? The incentive is GONE.

[Ninian Dryhope]

"A business degree is far easier, the pay and job security are comparable; why would one go into the technical field?"

My daughter will graduate from Rice in the spring with a degree in Chemical Engineering. She already has a job offer with a salary and signing bonus much higher than what the business grads are going to get. And her company will pay her tuition to get her MBA or Master's degree. You are being illogical.

[rasblue]

you do not get high pay, and the requirements placed on you to graduate with the engineering degree are higher than in almost any other area of study. Why bother?

I disagree on the low salary. Most of the guys I work with make six figures. If you really want to make $200,000+ as an ordinary non-management engineer you can always work in Dubai, Saudi, Iraq, Alberta, Australia, etc.

One of the reasons I became an engineer was because my skills are transferable to almost any industry in any place in the world. Can't say that for any other profession.