Filipinos shown less inclined to tech courses

FEWER Filipinos in the United States appear interested in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) courses compared to other foreign enrollees, according to Washington-based Brookings Instititution, which culled data on study visas issued to foreign students from 2008 to 2012.

Nearly 30% of Filipinos granted F-1 (full-time student) visas from 2008 to 2012 (1,306 of 4,370) were primarily taking up “business, management, marketing, and related support services,” said the report that was authored by Neil G. Ruiz, senior policy analyst and associate fellow at the Brookings Institution Metropolitan Policy Program.

The report can be accessed at the think tank’s Web site at:http://www.brookings.edu/research/interactives/2014/geography-of-foreign-students#/M10420.

According to the report, barely one in five Filipinos studying in US schools or 19.8% are enrolled in science, technology, engineering, or math courses (STEM). In comparison, more than a third -- or 37% -- of all foreign students take up STEM.

The study may underscore a dearth of Filipinos qualified to empower the Philippines in emerging fields relevant to innovation, research and development, science and technology, industry, and manufacturing.

These findings seem to correlate with data from the Commission on Higher Education (CHEd).

Enrollment in Science, Technology, Engineering, Agriculture, and Mathematics (STEAM) was at 549,107 or 17.51% of total enrollment in undergraduate programs in academic year 2013-2014. This figure is slightly higher than 541,728 or 16% for the 2012-2013 schoolyear.

A check with CHEd showed the agency has increased funding for financial assistance to students enrolling in such priority fields.

Getting there

Sought for comment, American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines senior adviser John D. Forbes said “the Philippine economy has yet to reach the stage of industrialization.”

“No economy has become developed without industry. Therefore the Philippines should make increased efforts to increase its graduates both at home and studying overseas in engineering, math, and related fields,” Mr. Forbes said by phone.

More Filipino students will take STEM courses abroad “as the country progresses,” Alfredo M. Yao, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Inc. president, said separately.

“You can’t force the flow of water. As the country progresses and with all these things in manufacturing coming up, more students will take up those courses,” Mr. Yao said by phone. -- InterAksyon.com and BusinessWorld staff

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source: Businessworld