Asia's brain drain to U.S.

In 1990, 62 percent of United States doctorate graduates in engineering were foreign students, mostly Asians. About the same percentage were graduates in mathematics, computer and physical sciences. In economic study it was 40 percent.

According to Dr. Jagdish Bhagwati, a professor at Columbia University and Dr. Milind Rao, a professor at Colgate University, the U.S. derives its strength in the field of science and technology from a continuous flow of foreign students (Asian Wall Street Journal Sept. 22).

However, the intrusion of this "brain capital" has often been ignored or even encountered hostile immigration rulings. The two professors, however, advocated a more lenient immigration ruling for foreign students.

They suggested that the American government automatically produce green cards for these foreign Ph.D. graduates. In fact, 70 percent of these Ph.D. graduates stay on in the States and finally become U.S. citizens.

In the 1960s there was the belief in developing countries that such a phenomenon was a brain drain. Nowadays, more and more people think that there is nothing wrong with them staying on in the States. They may become famous people and give a good reputation to their home country.

In Indonesia, students studying abroad are obliged by contract to return home. However, in the present era of high mobility of professionals, such an approach may no longer be relevant.

What is relevant is the need to create a conducive atmosphere for home students to learn and to achieve scientific achievement. We are acutely aware that as this nation advances the need for quality human resources is urgent.

-- Kompas, Jakarta