Pakistan: the brain drain dilemma

摘要

In your assessment of the bleak state of academic and scientific research in Pakistan (Nature 467,378-379; 2010), you do not mention the country's 'brain drain problem. A nation's research achievements depend mainly on the experience and expertise of its available researchers. But the current trend for Pakistan's new PhDs is to pursue their postdoctoral training abroad and eventually to take up employment there. Few of these well-trained researchers return home, discouraged by factors such as corruption, political instability, lack of governmental initiative and inadequate healthcare and social-security benefits.