Brain drain refers to the emigration of skilled professionals from one country to another. Pakistan has experienced significant brain drain over several decades due to factors such as lack of opportunities, poor work conditions, and higher pay abroad. While remittances sent back provide some economic benefits, brain drain has negatively impacted Pakistan through loss of human capital and healthcare professionals. Potential measures to reduce brain drain include improving research funding, increasing salaries, and initiatives to encourage expatriate professionals to return.
2. CONTENTS
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What is Brain Drain
History of brain drain
Reasons for brain drain
Brain drain in Pakistan
Reasons of brain drain from Pakistan
Effects of brain drain
Positive effects
Negative effects
Measures to stop brain drain
Conclusion
3. WHAT IS BRAIN DRAIN?
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The loss of skilled, intellectual and technical labor through
their movement to more favorable geographic, economic, or
professional environments.
It can be simply defined as the mass emigration of technically
skilled people from one country to another country.
Brain-drain is also termed as “human capital flight” because it
resembles the case of capital flight.
4. HISTORY OF BRAIN
DRAIN
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The term originated about 1960.
In 1960, many British scientists
and intellectuals emigrated to the
United States for a better working
climate.
Its meaning has broadened into:
the departure of educated or
professional people from one
country.
Neil Bohr
Albert Einstein
5. WHY BRAIN DRAINS?
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Lack of better opportunity
Political instability
Health risks
Personal conflicts
Poor Conditions of Service
Disregard for Local Talent
Economic under development.
6. WHY BRAIN DRAINS?
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Lack of research and other facilities
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Lack of freedom
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Poor working facilities
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Unsuitable institution.
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Desire for a better urban life
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Desire for higher qualification and recognition
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Lack of satisfactory working conditions.
7. REASONS FOR BRAIN
DRAIN
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Europe as “GREEN PASTURES” for doctors
Lack of variety in specializations
Disregard for local degrees
Lack of job opportunities
Merit systems
Lack of infrastructure
High corporate tax rate
8. REASONS FOR BRAIN
DRAIN
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Lack of scientific tradition and culture
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Over production and under utilization of HQM.
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Discrimination in appointment and promotion.
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Lack of research and other facilities
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Income inequalities
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Ten times more earning than home country.
9. POSITIVE EFFECTS
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Receiving of millions of dollars in shape of
remittance sent back to Pakistan every year.
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Creating space for freshmen here.
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Population decrease.
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People bring technology, skills and new ideas
from abroad.
Higher rate of people starting capital intensive
enterprises.
10. POSITIVE EFFECTS
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Money remittance has reduced the severity of
poverty to some extent.
Money sent are invested in education, housing
and health.
Improved quality of education by insuring
international standards and training.
Improved competitiveness in home country as
international degrees are held in higher esteem.
11. NEGATIVE EFFECTS
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The loss of high quality manpower.
Huge loss of foreign exchange due to
hiring of foreign experts.
Government spends billions of rupees
for education of experts.
Rampant corruption, poor
administrations, lack of motivation
and fast diminishing nationalism.
Loss of Health Services.
12. MEASURES TAKEN
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National Research Program for Universities
(NRPU)
TTU performance based pay system by HEC
Foreign faculty members of Pakistani origin are
encouraged to come and transfer their expertise
Transfer of knowledge through expatriate
nationals (TOKTEN) (UNDP)
Initiative for 11 foreign universities
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MEASURES TO STOP BRAIN
Delaying emigration DRAIN
For example :
Doctors may be asked to stay on for two years.
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Tax proposals
For example :
Native professionals pay a percent of income earning abroad.
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Fix govt. policies
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MEASURES TO STOP BRAIN
Revive HEC
DRAIN
Build new universities
Conduct evening classes in campuses.
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PIA should allow a 50% discount for all students of
Pakistani origin on international routes.
Entering into international agreements
For not to recruit skilled people from
less-developed countries.
15. CONCLUSION
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Our leaders often deliver lengthy speeches but no worthy
positive steps have been taken.
Our government has not even asked Pakistani professionals to
return back and serve their country.
“Reversing the brain drain is a key priority for us.”