美國理工專業回暖
2005年攻讀科學與工程專業研究生的美國學生數量達到歷史新高，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增長了2%，達到創紀錄的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.
調查還顯示，繼前3年下降之後，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下降3%，爲連續第二年下降。
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)研發預算及政策項目主管Kei Koizumi表示，此次調查的`結果 "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".
"多數決策者表示，好消息是，攻讀科學與工程專業的美國人似乎越來越多，"他表示。"但外國學生數量下降，不管是因爲實際存在或人們感覺中的簽證問題，還是因爲學生髮現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恐怖襲擊後，美國國務院對外國學生實施限制，此後，來自國際學生的申請數量有所下降。
Applications from international students fell after the State Department imposed restrictions on foreign students in the wake of the September 11 terrorist attacks.