The need for achieving a more internationally responsive outlook must be understood and acted upon throughout the system for engineering education in the United States. Changes in attitude and approach will be required at all stages, including high school, college, graduate school and continuing education programs, to achieve a set of offerings and opportunities that will enable U.S. engineers to function competitively throughout their careers. Several programs already provide examples of successful approaches to the education of globally oriented engineers.
Along with the essential foundation of science and mathematics training in secondary schools, the usefulness of early study of languages and experience that reinforces language skills needs to be better appreciated by young people who wish to pursue careers in engineering and technology. The committee recommends maintaining traditional U.S. education in Asian languages, especially Japanese, for engineers at all levels. These languages usually require more years of study for Americans ...
