Citation
(2003), "Europe tops science-graduate league table", Journal of European Industrial Training, Vol. 27 No. 7. https://doi.org/10.1108/jeit.2003.00327gab.003
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2003, MCB UP Limited
Europe tops science-graduate league table
Europe tops science-graduate league table
Europe produced more university graduates in the natural sciences and technological disciplines than the USA or Japan last year.
According to the third European report on science and technology indicators, 2.14 million people, or a quarter of European students, received scientific or technological degrees in 2002, compared to 2.07 million in the USA and 1.1 million in Japan.
European scientists continue to be strong in areas such as medical research, chemistry and the high-technology sectors of aeronautics and telecommunications. However, the EU still invests much less than its main competitors in research and the difference is increasing. Europe also accounts for a decreasing number of patents and its high-technology trade position is deteriorating.
Germany, France and Britain had the most doctorates. While European countries continue to attract Asian students, Europe remains unpopular with students from the USA. The only exception is Ireland, where most foreign students come from the USA or Canada. Germany tends to attract students from Austria, Italy, UK, Greece and Spain.
Co-operation between universities and industry is also more intense in Europe than in the USA and Japan. Industry is most involved in university research in Germany, Belgium and Spain.
In total, the European industry helped to finance 6.9 per cent of European university research in the reference year 1999 – surpassing the 6.3 per cent in the USA and 2.3 per cent in Japan.
The study concludes, however, that the "brain drain" phenomenon continues, with young European researchers regularly leaving for the USA. About two-thirds of European doctoral candidates studying in the USA stay at US research institutes after they graduate.
The European commissioner responsible for research, Philippe Busquin, said: "This is not just a study, it is a policy tool to enable European leaders in research and innovation to monitor their progress. The aim is to map out and highlight the areas where Europe excels, which in turn will attract excellence, and to address our shortcomings and build on our strengths."