Translated by Penn Tomassetti
“Brain drain” is a complex phenomenon that for the last three decades has been having a negative impact on the development of science and technology in Mexico. This phenomenon, in both its exogenous and endogenous forms, constitutes a problem of national interest that must be attended to with urgency.
In response to my previous contributions I received a large number of comments and opinions—for which I am deeply grateful—from highly qualified Mexicans who were willing to share their experiences, positions and arguments. Many had proposals and ideas aimed at offering solutions.
In their messages they described how unemployment, underemployment, lack of opportunity, low wages, insecurity, nepotism and influence-peddling are only some of the factors that hinder the incorporation of academics, scientists, doctors and teachers. These things force professionals to look for opportunities outside of the country.
Despite the difficulties, most of them resist leaving the country, holding that option only as a last resort. Nevertheless, their ability to grow professionally is limited in both the public and private sector by the lack of new technological and scientific centers of development, well-equipped laboratories and the necessary conditions to complete their work.
On the other hand, new generations of postgraduate students are continuing on with their training process, and in some cases representing a greater number than that of researchers currently working. This is also true for positions available.
After graduating and obtaining a degree, students will join the contingency of academics and scientists that are currently searching desperately for opportunities. So the problem will grow even more acute, and sadly, will contribute to higher rates of migration away from the country.
In popular opinion, “brain drain” implies a connotation of abandonment or desertion, which finds its justification in Mexico's shortage of opportunity. However, it needs mentioning that since 2005, there now exist systematic efforts organized on the part of highly qualified Mexicans around the world through the Mexican Talent Network, sponsored by the Institute of Mexicans Abroad, its own CONACYT [National Council for Science and Technology] and the Mexico-United States Foundation for Science.
Currently there are 23 chapters in this network that are disseminated around the world. They orient their skills toward strategic titles, like information technology and communication, hydrocarbons and alternative energy, environmental conservation and climate change, agriculture, fisheries and biotechnology, nanotechnology, and aeronautics, among others. Thus technology and social networks function as the mainstay for interaction and collaborative work.
Each chapter has established links and agreements of cooperation with various institutions and agencies. Notably, the United Kingdom chapter has carried out high level conferences delivered by British experts in Mexico. It has established support systems by workshops with entrepreneurs and institutions through CONACYT, and has connected with the Summit of Young Entrepreneurs of G-20 to be held this month in Russia.
Despite these efforts, the need to rethink the training of new, highly qualified Mexicans as a State policy is undeniable. In order to strengthen national scientific and technological development, it is important to assess the quality and relevance of the educational offer, which must be strictly linked with industry and private initiative. Likewise, the system of graduate course grants offered by CONACYT and SEP stand in need of revision. The effect will be to avoid favoring those who do not actually require assistance to cover the costs of their training.
Finally, we should keep in mind that Mexico's progress as a nation depends on the quality of human capital training. If it is a good thing that thousands of Mexicans grow professionally abroad, it is also therefore essential to offer highly skilled nationals equal work opportunities. This includes offering the necessary working conditions and a better quality of life, in order that, if they decide to emigrate in the future, they will do so on grounds of personal circumstances, not because they are forced by unemployment.
*Simón Vargas Aguilar is President of Education and Training with Values, Inc. and analyst regarding issues of security, education and justice