US brain drain on the wane

[Davita]

For years the US has 'poached' some of Asia's best students to be educated in American Colleges...particularily in science and R & D subjects. Those students, after graduating, were eager to stay in the US as they saw a better economic lifestyle. This 'brain drain' denied their home countries their new found skills. The US accommodated by issuing 'Green Cards' and citizenship.

The recent economic downturn has changed this spectrum...according to an article in today's JakPost (P7) called 'Is a US brain drain on the horizon?'

Interesting that the Indian Parliament is drafting a law to permit dual nationality so that those entrepreneur and scientifically skilled ex-nationals can return and be productive in India. China is doing something similar.

The Philippines did it some years back to entice those nationals who made money abroad and wanted to return as retirees. (Presumably to bring their money as well)

I wonder if the Gov. of RI will ever see the opportunities in this area and make it convenient for something similar to happen here; and benefit Indonesians.

skeptical David

[waarmstrong]

The article you mentioned is actually published today in both the Post and the Globe. It occasionally happens that they both decide that a wire service story is worthy.

This is another good example of a xenophobic Uncle Sam shooting himself in the foot again. Our (USA) immigration laws suck. We periodically forget that America was built by and owes its success to immigrants.

[Davita]

This is another good example of a xenophobic Uncle Sam shooting himself in the foot again. Our (USA) immigration laws suck. We periodically forget that America was built by and owes its success to immigrants.

I cannot disagree with your above sentiments Waarm. I can tell you how I forked out US$1,000 to get a green card which they then made impossible to achieve (and no money back)...but that's another story!

The point of the article was that, due to the movement of technology, R & D and the economy, to the countries of origin of those who studied and settled in the US or EU, their home countries may now appear more viable and they may wish to return home.

However, just as in RI, they cannot, having given up their rights.
The Indian government now recognizes that and is going to legislate for them to have dual citizenship, so they can return and be productive in India, using their USA or EU acquired skills.

Those that did not manage to settle, due to US immigration backlogs and bureaucratic robotics, may give up and return home with all that education and skill and maybe some money, and contribute to their homeland, much to USA's loss.

My point is...when will Indonesia also learn this valuable lesson.
Am I too naive to think it can happen prior to my expected demise, or that iceberg reaching Australia, whichever comes first?


Sooooon David

[ohmdafyd]

I'm absolutely positive that my family back home will be drinking nice clean Antarctic water before your wishes, and the rest of us, comes true David...

[b_santoso]

Not many Indonesian people who studied and worked in abroad are eager to return home due to lack of appreciation from the gov. except at BJ Habibie administration time. Currently many skilled, abroad educated people after economy crisis in 1997-1998 who worked at homeland before "forced by condition" to work and settle in some countries such as Malaysia, Spain, France, Germany, etc. DPR and gov haven't had any grand strategy as done by India, China, etc.

[ohmdafyd]

Not many Indonesian people who studied and worked in abroad are eager to return home due to lack of appreciation from the gov. except at BJ Habibie administration time. Currently many skilled, abroad educated people after economy crisis in 1997-1998 who worked at homeland before "forced by condition" to work and settle in some countries such as Malaysia, Spain, France, Germany, etc. DPR and gov haven't had any grand strategy as done by India, China, etc.

Including the aforementioned ex Leaders Son and daughter in law who move in the same Indonesian social circles as my partner back in Oz.

[Mas Fred]

I'm absolutely positive that my family back home will be drinking nice clean Antarctic water before your wishes, and the rest of us, comes true David...

As long as they don't pollute the world getting the stuff there.
I think we will see changes in the law allowing dual nationality and quicker than most here think but I believe the iceberg will be a fish playground before it happens.

[Hombre de Maiz]

I, for one, would lobby my reps in Congress to reject any plans for granting U.S. citizenship to Indonesians unless U.S. citizens residing in Indonesia are provided a transparent and efficient mechanism for long-term residency and property ownership. Sorry, Indonesia, there ain´t no such thing as a free lunch.

[PapuaBoy]

Interesting that the Indian Parliament is drafting a law to permit dual nationality so that those entrepreneur and scientifically skilled ex-nationals can return and be productive in India. China is doing something similar.

The Philippines did it some years back to entice those nationals who made money abroad and wanted to return as retirees. (Presumably to bring their money as well)

I wonder if the Gov. of RI will ever see the opportunities in this area and make it convenient for something similar to happen here; and benefit Indonesians.

I think that allowing dual-nationaility may help but I do not think that the visa and nationality issues have much influence in many cases.

I think it is more a case of vastly better financial position working overseas (and sending money home to the family) as they would usually struggle to find a similarly paid position back in the home country. I have heard that in some circumstances that some find the way of life is better (up for personal interpretation).

PB

[Gratilla]

... there ain´t no such thing as a free lunch.

Actually, there is!

A "developing" country pops out its begging bowl in front of a visiting bureaucrat and lo and surprise a billion bucks of squandered tax-payers' money drops in.

These countries also do very nicely on the gold medal league tables for corruption and number of fat cats with fat cat bank accounts in Switzepore.

Makes me larf (or at least titter) when I hear (AGAIN) "we can slash our carbon emissions by 10,000% if someone provides the finance. After all we've already shown how adept we are at eliminating forest fires and illegal logging".

<Ahh, feel better now.>