“Graduate Education: The Backbone of American Competitiveness and Innovation"

It is tempting to be complacent about the future
of American competitiveness. The United States
is the world’s largest economy and our higher
education system is the envy of the world.

As the
home of Google, Genentech, and other pathbreaking
enterprises, we are known for our innovation
and creativity. Our investments in scientific
research have produced products and processes that
have improved prosperity and national security.
But as our world flattens, we face new and growing
competition. We can no longer take for granted
America’s continued leadership in innovation and
competitiveness. We face the risk of losing the
highly trained workforce
that is essential to maintain
our economic leadership.

The warning signals are
there. For example, as
reported by the National
Science Foundation (NSF),i
the number of scientific
papers published by
Americans has fluctuated
around a constant number
over the past decade.
Meanwhile the number of
scientific papers published in other countries has
grown by over 30 percent. U.S. scientific and technological
leadership has until now been assured by
the combination of graduate programs unparalleled
in excellence and the steady supply of the world’s
most talented students. However, other countries
are significantly increasing their investments in
graduate education and attracting top students.

This report—Graduate Education: The Backbone of
American Competitiveness and Innovation—urges
policymakers, business leaders, and higher education
officials to unite together in making the
investments necessary to enhance U.S. innovation
and national security through stronger support for
and attention to graduate education.
A highly trained workforce is essential to America’s
future economic competitiveness and national
security. Graduate education, a vital part of the
U.S. education system, must be strengthened as
part of a national strategy on innovation and
competitiveness.

The work of graduate students
contributes directly to our
sustained economic growth
and prosperity. Graduate
students conduct groundbreaking
research in universities,
national laboratories,
and private industry.
This report provides a framework
of graduate education
policies that will enhance
U.S. competitiveness. It
specifically addresses the role
of graduate education in ensuring that the knowledge
creators and innovators of tomorrow have the
cultural awareness, skills, and expertise to compete
effectively in a knowledge-based global economy. It
provides an analysis of accomplishments, areas for
improvement, and associated recommendations.
The action agenda that follows is designed to
strengthen U.S. competitiveness and innovation through a renewed commitment to graduate education.
The program includes the following:

Full Report: http://www.cgsnet.org/portals/0/pdf/GR_GradEdAmComp_0407_EMB.pdf