SEGHAYER I met Sami years ago on a return trip to the Kingdom from the United States. At that time, Sami was a bright, young doctoral student preparing to defend his dissertation in his chosen field of geology. Because of his potential, he had been offered a position with a high salary at a renowned American university. I asked about his plans and if he was going to accept this tempting offer. He told me, “It is time to go home because I am very eager to serve my country. I cannot wait to reach there to share the knowledge and experience I have accumulated over the course of my doctoral study in the US. I am eager to play a part along with my colleagues to advance the field of geology in my country.” I admired Sami because he had given up a golden opportunity and perhaps his own professional dreams for the sake of his country. I sincerely wished him continuous success and prayed that he would one day become a distinguished scholar in the Kingdom and the world. Many year later, I met Sami again in the Kingdom in a Starbucks cafe. I saw a very different Sami and, to say the least, a very depressed and disappointed person. I was astonished when I heard him say that he was on his way back to the US. Sami spoke very briefly and did not say much other than that “the environment here is not healthy enough and sadly does not allow you to expand your horizons and flourish.” Sami's story is representative of a wider phenomenon that has existed for years. Every day the Arab world loses a considerable number of scholars, trained professionals, scientists and intellectuals who cannot make any progress in the counterproductive environment of their homeland. They reluctantly, like Sami, look for other places in the world where they can prosper and advance in their chosen professions. This phenomenon is called the “brain drain” which results in the loss of scientists and other trained professionals who either choose not to return to their homeland after completing their education abroad or who migrate to Western countries. Studies have shown that 45 percent of Arab students who study abroad do not return home after graduating, choosing instead to apply their skills in Westerns countries, primarily the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada. Over 30 percent of the world's migration of experts and specialists come from Arab countries, accounting for more than US$2 billion of estimated losses to Arab states. Of these migrating professionals, 50 percent are doctors and 23 percent are engineers. Numerous reasons have been given for this brain drain. The general ones are attributed to the public's lack of respect for educational and scientific accomplishments. It is unfortunate that most of the Arab world does not place education among its top priorities. Political and social instabilities in many countries in the region are also reasons for this migration. The more specific reasons are related to economics, politics, society, and career advancement. Scientists and professionals argue that the environments in their home countries are not suitable because of archaic laws, a dearth of resources, institutional impediments, bureaucratic hurdles, and a lack of leadership. Therefore, it is difficult for these professionals to make significant or sustained scientific contributions at home. Lack of pro-active scientific research and development, absence of inter-institution cooperation, and a systematic pattern of discouraging education are also among the reasons for this brain drain. Additional, but lesser, reasons are low salaries and a lack of opportunities for scientific research. As gloomy as the situation may sound, it is not hopeless. We can undertake steps to counteract the impact of the brain drain and attract our lost experts by deploying short- and long-term strategic plans. Some crucial elements have to be put in place to ensure success, including changes in industry, finance, education, and legislation. More spending on scientific research is needed in addition to building local and regional scientific centers to accommodate scholars and intellectuals. Their needs include databases of scholars, fellowships, scholarships, and conference programs. These centers can also serve as a bridge that brings together scientists, researchers, physicians, information technology professionals, academics, and intellectuals so that they have the opportunity to exchange information. In recent years, the brain drain has grown at an alarming rate and is considered one of the biggest challenges facing Arab nations today, and it is particularly threatening the future of scientific development in the Arab world. It is time to put an end to the brain drain from Arab countries. (The writer is a Saudi academic who can be reached at [email protected]) __
