§ 1862h. Congressional statement of findings and declaration of purposes respecting scientific and technical education and training
(a)
Findings
The Congress finds that—
(1)
the position of the United States in the world economy faces great challenges from highly trained foreign competition;
(2)
the workforce of the United States must be better prepared for the technologically advanced, competitive, global economy;
(3)
the improvement of our work force’s productivity and our international economic position depend upon the strengthening of our educational efforts in science, mathematics, and technology, especially at the associate-degree level;
(4)
shortages of scientifically and technically trained workers in a wide variety of fields will best be addressed by collaboration among the Nation’s associate-degree-granting colleges and private industry to produce skilled, advanced technicians; and
(5)
the National Science Foundation’s traditional role in developing model curricula, disseminating instructional materials, enhancing faculty development, and stimulating partnerships between educational institutions and industry, makes an enlarged role for the Foundation in scientific and technical education and training particularly appropriate.
(b)
Purposes