Earlier this week, Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo joined Valerie Biden Owens, Chair of the Biden Institute, in hosting a Q&A session with students at the University of Delaware to commemorate the 100^th anniversary of the University’s Study Abroad Program. Secretary Raimondo stressed the need for more international scholars to help strengthen America’s global competitiveness, bolster America’s technological leadership, build a diverse workforce, and assist students in finding a job after graduation.

Strengthening International Relations

The Secretary spoke about her recent trip to China where she visited New York University’s campus in Shanghai and saw first-hand the benefits of cultural exchange with American and Chinese students working together.

“We’re facing monumental global challenges – climate change, the rise of authoritarianism, food security, energy security, health security, and sustainable development,” said Raimondo. “We need programs that bring people from different backgrounds together. And it’s why we need international scholars to help bridge the divides that have been driving us apart.”

Bolstering America’s Technological Leadership

Secretary Raimondo also addressed the need to bolster America’s technological leadership particularly in the semiconductor industry where there is a shortage of skilled workers. Industry estimates show our nation will have a shortage of 300,000 engineers and 90,000 technical workers by 2030. The Secretary called on students to consider a job in this critical industry to address the labor shortage and help address the lack of semiconductors manufactured in America.   

Creating Job Opportunities

Secretary Raimondo also addressed the benefits of studying abroad in building global alliances, strengthening America’s competitiveness, and helping students be more competitive in the job market following graduation.

Secretary Raimondo studied abroad at Oxford for two and a half years while in graduate school, stating it was a life-changing and life-giving experience that helped her immensely particularly as a representative of the Department of Commerce.

“The experiences, relationships, and perspectives you gain through study abroad have no substitute,” she said. “There will be a wide array of job opportunities that will empower workers with skill sets that will stay with them throughout their careers,” said Raimondo.

During her visit, Secretary Raimondo toured the University’s National Institute for Innovation in Manufacturing Biopharmaceuticals (NIIMBL). There, she viewed the NIIMBL Buffer Stock Blending Skid and saw first-hand how they are building manufacturing scale-up facilities and training a world-leading biopharmaceutical manufacturing workforce.

The Department has one overarching goal: Improve America’s Economic Competitiveness. Each of the Department's five strategic goals advances the Department’s mission and supports this goal. Read more in the U.S. Department of Commerce’s 2022–2026 Strategic Plan.