PROJECT TITLE

`Piloting Solutions for Reversing Brain Drain into Brain Gain for Africa`
 

PROJECT SPONSORS

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Hewlett-Packard Development Company (HP)

AIM OF THE PROJECT

Reverse brain drain in Africa into brain gain by establishing virtual networks among researchers who have stayed in their countries and their counterparts in the Diaspora
 

DEVELOPMENT OF THE PROJECT

The African project was developed by UNESCO's Educational Sector in response to requests by member states that face a staggering flight of skilled human capital.
 

SCOPE OF THE PROJECT

The Project seeks to reverse brain drain into brain gain for Africa by use of Information and Distributed Computing Technologies (IDCT) such as grid and cloud computing. The idea is to view brain drain as a positive force. This is a shift from the negative concept of brain drain, to a new concept of 'brain circulation', symbolizing the mobility and internationalization of human capital in a global economy. International migration of human capital facilitates the creation and transfer of knowledge and benefits both the sending and receiving countries.

The project seeks to connect migrant African academics and researchers with their counterparts back at home. The connection is mediated through collaborative activities such as joint teaching and research. The idea is to create a sustainable Diaspora model that facilitates virtual linkages. The impact of the project would be the transformation of African higher education and research through virtual gateways to global knowledge assets and resources.
 

EXPECTED PROJECT OUTPUT

Robust and vibrant virtual networks Grid-based learning and research model (tapped into the Diaspora) Reconnection with the Diaspora Faculty Strengthened research and educational capacities Capacity to use grid and cloud computing technology