We do actually have top notch engineers; too bad they're often forced to work abroad, particularly researchers. That joke about Italy just doesn't split the problem in two as it should by taking into account the ignorant leading class which does its best to hinder most technical and cultural development in this country. The (in)famous "Gelmini Tunnel" as it was later called to ridicule our then science minister is just an example.
https://www.businessinsider.com/mariastella-gelmini-italy-ug...