The 2011 distribution of the 100 best universities by region and by scientific field gives comfort to the generalized perception that, while the West maintains high standards of academic performance in all areas under the strong leadership of North America, Asia and Pacific have been making progresses in the field of engineering and computer sciences commensurate to the Far East manufacturing and commercial supremacy in the high technology market.

Contrary to the trivial — although patronizing and complacent — opinion that the West can let go of manufacturing, because what matters is creative brain-ware, the Southeast-Asian export oriented countries started by sourcing high-tech manufacturing, only to progressively snatch development and innovation too, thus becoming the world suppliers of computers, cell phones, and all sorts of other advanced devices.

In North America, the number one field of interest is social science, not engineering. From 2010 to 2011, North America gained 1 slot in social science, while losing 5 slots in the "hard science" fields. At a time when the concept of a "declining American empire" pervades the analyses of the world's dismal state of affairs, one is entitled to think that North America has the priorities wrong. It is sad that Europe does not show the boldness and freedom of mind required to devise a course other than submissively following America.

Sources: Institute of Higher Education, Shanghai.

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