But several obstacles that typically plague Third World countries stand in the way of grasping the opportunity, experts said. According to UTB Provost Raymond Rodrigues, poverty, disease, pollution, migration, lack of basic educational training and English skills make it difficult for border youths to acquire higher education. Given these obstacles, Rodrigues and other experts familiar with education in the Valley agreed that their institutions play a pivotal role in improving the region s economy. Speakers at the summit said students in elementary and secondary schools need to have more advanced placement courses available and financial support when they go on to institutions of higher learning. But right now schools in the region lack resources and infrastructure to provide that, school officials from Brownsville to El Paso said.
Many students trained in the Valley often wind up in Austin or northern California s Silicon Valley.
In fact the booming high-tech industry in Austin is the pride of the state, according to Garcia. They have full employment in Austin. But Garcia said the strength of Austin s high-tech economy provides an opportunity for the Valley to attract the kind of help it needs. In comparing the state s high-tech economy to a garden, Austin to a rose bush, and the Valley to a shrub, Garcia said the summit would help bring the attention of those with the power to help. If your roses are doing well, and the shrubs aren t doing well, you pay attention to the shrubs for a little while.