Brain drain solution

In my letter sent to The Star and NST some time ago which was not published by the two news portal, I proposed a solution for the brain drain.

Let us walk the talk and stop the brain drain. There is no point for us to have a NO ACTION, TALK ONLY policy.

So, read on. I shall call it, an Open Letter to the Cabinet of Malaysia. (Interested parties - bloggers, politicians, and the press - can reproduce this article with credits to APOMM)

The Brain Drain Solution !

With reference to the call by Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin to the best Malaysian brains to return home made recently in London, I say it is a wise statement and an assurance that the Government knows the issue of brain drain.

However, I wish to bring to the attention of Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin that such effort should begin from within the country and Government.

Each year, the Public Service Department, Petronas, MARA and various other GLCs sponsor a total of 3000 students approximately to local and foreign universities.

Needless to say, these students are among the creme de la creme of the country not just in education but in other aspects such as co curricular achievements as well. In other words, these are all rounder scholars.

I can't speak much for MARA or Petronas scholars since I was once a JPA sponsored student. I shall comment from the perspective of a JPA Scholar.

At the moment, JPA sponsored graduates have a waiting period of within 1 year for SPA's interview or arrangement which is not even guaranteed. Many private firms and agencies are hesitant to hire due to our underlying contract and uncertainty of a call up by SPA.

Year after year, I have heard many JPA Scholars who graduated from top universities in New Zealand, UK, Australia and United States were not offered positions by the Government.

I do personally know friends whom are top graduates under JPA and did not get called up even for an interview by the Public Services Commission (SPA).

The Government must improve this matter of brain drain by first looking at scholarship holders.

For starters, sponsors like MARA and JPA should liaise and create a network with private and public listed Malaysian corporations as well as Goverment-linked companies (GLCs).

If the Government cannot accommodate or provide jobs to the JPA and MARA sponsored graduates, then the Government should place them in a network with Malaysian firms especially GLCs for screening and employment opportunities.

This can be done with the condition that the Bond of the scholarship is transferred directly to the potential employer of the scholars.

Such a move will definitely ensure that

1. the tax payers money are not wasted and
   
2. top Government sponsored scholars return home to contribute to our country.

An optimistic rallying call by Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin must be met with efforts and coordination to ensure that the best brains in the world return to the country to improve and develop the nation especially the scholars sponsored with tax payers money.

I can be reached at my email for further clarification if needed by interested parties.



Sincerely,
GOH WEI LIANG