美國理工專業(yè)回暖

　　2005年攻讀科學與工程專業(yè)研究生的美國學生數(shù)量達到歷史新高，讓哀嘆美國人對科學不感興趣的決策者和企業(yè)總裁們看到了一線希望。

　　The number of US students going to graduate school for science and engineering hit an all-time high in 2005, offering a glimmer of hope to policymakers and business chiefs who have lamented that Americans are not interested in science.

　　美國國家科學基金會(National Science Foundation)的最新調(diào)查顯示，入讀科學與工程研究生課程的美國公民和永久性居民人數(shù)增長了2%，達到創(chuàng)紀錄的33.955萬人。

　　A new survey conducted by the National Science Foundation shows that enrolment of US citizens and permanent residents in science and engineering graduate programmes increased 2 per cent, to a record 339,550.

　　調(diào)查還顯示，繼前3年下降之后，今年外國學生的入學率首次增長4%。不過，就讀這些學科的外國學生總數(shù)下降3%，為連續(xù)第二年下降。

　　The survey also showed a 4 per cent rise in first-time enrolments by foreign students, following three years of decline. However, total enrolment of foreign students in those subjects dropped 3 per cent - the second year in a row with a decline.

　　美國科學促進會(American Association for the Advancement of Science)研發(fā)預算及政策項目主管Kei Koizumi表示，此次調(diào)查的結(jié)果 "喜憂參半"。

　　Kei Koizumi, the director of the R &D budget and policy programme at the American Association for the Advancement of Science, called the survey's findings "mixed".

　　"多數(shù)決策者表示，好消息是，攻讀科學與工程專業(yè)的美國人似乎越來越多，"他表示。"但外國學生數(shù)量下降，不管是因為實際存在或人們感覺中的簽證問題，還是因為學生發(fā)現(xiàn)在其它國家讀書更具吸引力，這都(令人沮喪)。"

　　"The good news, according to most policymakers, is that it appears Americans are going into science and engineering in greater numbers," he said. "But the drop in foreign students - whether it's because of real or perceived visa problems, or because students find it more attractive to study in other nations - is not as [encouraging]."

　　9·11恐怖襲擊后，美國國務院對外國學生實施限制，此后，來自國際學生的申請數(shù)量有所下降。

　　Applications from international students fell after the State Department imposed restrictions on foreign students in the wake of the September 11 terrorist attacks.

　　軟件公司甲骨文(Oracle)主管政府及公共事務的副總裁羅伯特o霍夫曼(Robert Hoffman)表示： "(美國的)大學院校能否招到全世界頂尖的人才，唯一最大的挑戰(zhàn)在于我們的移民體系。"

　　"The single biggest challenge for colleges and universities being able to recruit top talent from around the world is our immigration system," said Robert Hoffman, the vice-president of government and public affairs at Oracle, the software company.

　　"該體系對招生工作來說是個障礙。它所表達的意思是：你或許能在美國大學里獲得一流教育，但你畢業(yè)后可能無法在美國公司里找到一份好工作。"

　　"The system is working as a barrier to recruitment. It's saying: you might be able to get a top-flight education at a US university but you might not be able to get a top-flight job at a US company after you graduate."