… In Korea, Germany and Scandinavia, science degrees (that is, degrees in engineering, health, mathematics, computing, physical sciences, agriculture and life sciences) make up between 45 per cent and 50 per cent of all degrees awarded. In the rest of Europe and Japan, the figure varies between 35 and 50 per cent. In Canada, the proportion is a mere 30 per cent…

… Science isn’t sexy, and young people don’t want to enrol in it. And that may well be hurting our economy… This is the point at which we are obliged to note that higher education — particularly in the arts and social sciences — is not entirely about servicing the job market.

… It is certainly an argument that some science graduates need more arts education. But in no way, however, is it an argument that society in general or employers in particular need more arts students. There is at least as strong an argument to be made that arts students need a great deal more science and math in their curriculums…

Our economic future belongs to those who can marry technological innovation with an insight into human needs and desires. That suggests very strongly that getting the correct blend of science and arts is an important policy goal.

Source: Ottawa Citizen
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