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STUDYING OFFSHORING THROUGH A STUDY-TOUR OF TAIWAN AND CHINA Belle Wei, Jacob Tsao College of Engineering, San Jose State University San Jose, California 95192

Abstract

In recent years the pace of offshoring knowledge-based technology jobs has quickened. This is primarily due to the advances in communication technology and the availability of a large low-cost talent pool in developing countries. As a result, American engineering graduates will compete and collaborate with their counterparts in other parts of the world. It is critical that they understand the dynamics of a global economy and recognize the need to acquire the skill set that enables them to succeed. To this end, the College of Engineering at San Jose State University has established a one-million dollar Global Technology Initiative (GTI). The initiative sponsored a one-unit course that culminated in a two-week all-expense-paid study tour to Taiwan and China for 25 students, selected from 90 applications, in summer 2004. Taiwan and China were chosen because of their links to the value chain of Silicon Valley’s technology industry. On this tour, our students visited a variety of technology enterprises as well as educational and research institutions. They had an opportunity to witness first-hand the high level of interconnectedness of Taiwan’s and China’s businesses with those in Silicon Valley. The students described their trip experience as transformative, and many of them changed their study and career plans after the trip. Each of the 25 students presented the lessons he or she learned from the study tour to an enthusiastic crowd of over 100 engineering students. Such increases students’ awareness of global issues and we expect to have many more students interested in the GTI study tour of 2005.

1. Introduction

As the debate on the costs and benefits of offshore outsourcing rages on, many technology companies in Silicon Valley have already established extensive global operations. Furthering the globalization trend are compelling economic considerations such as low costs, availability of a large talent pool, and potential markets of regions outside the U.S. It is a fact that American engineering graduates will compete and collaborate with their counterparts in other parts of the world. It is critical that our students understand the dynamics of a global economy and realize the need to develop a high-valued skill set that gives them competitive advantages. To this end, the College of Engineering at San Jose State University (SJSU) has established a one-million dollar Global Technology Initiative (GTI) with an objective of providing American students a global perspective with an emphasis on the technology and business developments in the Asia-Pacific region.

Proceedings of the 2005 American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference & Exposition Copyright © 2005, American Society for Engineering Education

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Tsao, H., & Wei, B. (2005, June), Studying Offshoring Through A Study Tour Of Taiwan And China Paper presented at 2005 Annual Conference, Portland, Oregon. 10.18260/1-2--14716