As its universities turn out engineering grads, Poland attracts US tech giants [View all]

[DreamGypsy]

From NBC: http://worldnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/12/12/15845485-as-its-universities-turn-out-engineering-grads-poland-attracts-us-tech-giants

“In 2000, we ended the year with 11 engineers,” said G.E.’s human-resources director in Warsaw, Kinga Zalucka. “Today, we have 1,300 engineers. I think it was a good choice.”

How has Poland pulled off this feat of economic magic? Observers say it’s not just about the low labor costs compared to neighboring Germany, or the boon of a currency freed from the struggling Euro. They point to an impressive, decade-long campaign to raise the quality of secondary and university education.

As early as 1999, policymakers were planting the seeds for growth, adding a year of secondary education and extra language instruction for all students before tracking them onto professional or vocational paths. By 2003, Poland had vaulted past the United States and most of Europe on the reading section of the Programme for International Student Assessment exam.

“Students needed more in general education, including subjects like math, in order to help them stay flexible and navigate the labor market later on,” said Nina Arnhold, a senior education specialist at the World Bank, referring to Poland’s strategy. “It made a huge difference.”

Hey, Republicans!! Hey, over here!! Want to help the economy?? Yeah, really?? Try investing in modern reading, mathematics, and science education for the the population. Ensuring students can get college educations and advanced degrees without having to spend 40 years repaying debts. Funding scientific research and innovation. Yeah, it works! It's not rocket science!!

A whole new genre of humor, American jokes.

America sent its top team of scientists to attend the international science convention, where all the countries of the world gathered to compare their scientific achievements and plans. The scientists listened to the Indians describe how they were another step closer to a cure for cancer, and the Polish were ready to launch a space craft for mining metals from asteroids, and China had invented a car that runs on water. Soon, it was the American scientists' turn to speak. "Well, we are preparing a space ship to fly to the sun." The proposal was followed by a period for questions. When asked how they planned to deal with the sun's extreme heat the Americans replied "Simple, we're going at night!"

Oh, well, at least the United States will always lead the world in the output of creationist textbooks...of litigation lawyers...and of dumbshite politicians.