Addressing Nepal's Brain Drain: A Call for the National Youth Volunteer Service in Nepal
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The article addresses the issue of Nepali
youth leaving for higher education abroad, causing brain drain and skills
shortages in vital sectors. It proposes a National Youth Volunteer Service
program to retain talent, provide educational opportunities, and ensure a
return on the country's investment in its youth by deploying them in rural sectors
before their departure abroad.
Introduction
The departure of young Nepali minds for higher education abroad has indeed
become a concerning trend, exerting a significant drain on the nation's
colleges and universities. Startling statistics indicate that more than 100,000
students leave the country annually for higher education, with a considerable
number possibly choosing to remain abroad. Moreover, the exodus of graduates in
critical fields like medicine, engineering, IT, and other STEM areas poses further
challenges for the nation. For instance, in the medical profession alone,
nearly half of the 5,000 graduate doctors over the past four years have left
the country. This exodus exacerbates the already dismal doctor-to-population
ratio, leaving vast rural areas devoid of quality healthcare services. Many
view this trend as a loss of our investment in these young minds, which are
subsequently harnessed by other nations.
This phenomenon may be attributed to various factors, including the
politicization of our campuses, commercialization, administrative delays in
exam processes, and the generally lackluster quality of education. Moreover,
numerous private educational enterprises are perceived as actively promoting
their graduates to pursue further education in the USA, Australia, the UK, and
Europe. Some even consider the d ysfunctional and highly chaotic political
discourses, coupled with never-ending street demonstrations, as additional
exacerbating factors. This article argues that this trend is less likely to be
reversed for various reasons, including a demographic shift taking place in the
developed countries and the increased demand for human capital. Nevertheless, I
propose a youth volunteering program in an attempt to harness these talents for
the benefit of the underserved rural areas or the sector.
[For reforms ideas in our higher education,
please see the following link: https://nepalunplugged.substack.com/p/reimagining-nepals-higher-education]
Pull and Push Factors
In a free society, bolstered by globalization
trends, the movement of human capital, both within and outside the country, is a
natural phenomenon. This trend became particularly pronounced following the
government's decision to privatize the education sector, leading to the
proliferation of thousands of boarding schools and campuses nationwide. Similar
to any commodity, private educational enterprises began marketing their
offerings through various innovations, packaging, and capital investments.
Several countries, including India, China,
South Korea, Nigeria, and the Philippines, face challenges with students
leaving for higher education abroad To retain students, these countries have
been focusing on improving the quality of their higher education institutions,
offering scholarships and incentives, enhancing research opportunities, and
strengthening ties between academia and industry. Furthermore, a country like
China has been investing in developing world-class universities and providing
support for students to pursue advanced degrees domestically. The have also
begun to recruit faculty internationally through global competition. These
efforts aim to attract students back to their home countries and contribute to
national development.
Demographic Decline and Human Capital Needs
The global decline in birth rates poses
significant challenges for countries worldwide, impacting demographics, labor
markets, and economic productivity. Over the past seven decades, European
nations such as Germany and France, along with Japan, China, and South Korea,
have experienced a drastic reduction in birth rates, indicating progress in
socio-economic development but also leading to an aging population and
potential workforce shortages. This trend reflects a shift towards prioritizing
education and career over starting families, driven by factors such as improved
opportunities for women and urbanization. However, the negative consequences,
including strains on social welfare systems and reduced economic productivity
due to labor shortages, cannot be ignored.
The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD),
in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Education and Research, has
launched a new initiative to attract and retain international students in the
country, aiming to alleviate the shortage of skilled workers. The first program
within this initiative, named FIT (Promotion of International Talent for Integration
into Studies and the Labour Market), is set to commence in spring 2024,
according to Erudera.com. With a budget of up to €1 million running until 2028,
FIT aims to support up to 70 projects across German universities, focusing on
providing extra career support for international students throughout their
studies. The overarching message here emphasizes the critical importance of
recognizing the global demand for human capital in shaping our approach to
addressing human capital flight. It underscores the necessity for us to develop
innovative strategies tailored to our own context. As we observe the
initiatives in countries like Germany to attract and retain skilled workers, as
well as the heavy investment in the higher education sector by the Chinese
government, it prompts us to rethink our own approaches and devise creative
strategies to retain our youth and talent. Understanding the global dynamics of
human capital demand should inspire us to proactively address the challenges of
brain drain and cultivate an environment that fosters talent retention,
alongside much-needed quality improvement and infrastructure investment within
our own borders.
In light of these global insights, it becomes increasingly apparent that Nepal
must confront its own challenges with urgency and innovation. While the
international landscape provides valuable lessons, our solutions must be
tailored to our unique circumstances. As we ponder the initiatives undertaken
by nations like Germany and China, we're compelled to reassess our own
strategies and develop inventive approaches to retaining our nation's talent.
With a deeper understanding of the global dynamics at play, we're prompted to
take proactive steps to mitigate brain drain and foster talent within our
borders. This proposal represents a modest contribution towards that goal.
National Youth
Volunteer Service (NYVS)
One potential solution could be the
establishment of a National Youth Volunteer Service (NYVS) program. Under this
initiative, Nepali students aspiring to pursue higher education abroad would be
required to dedicate a year to volunteer service in Nepal. Meanwhile, those
interested in studying within Nepal would receive vouchers directly, redeemable
at any Nepali higher education institution. The duration of the program can be
determined after careful consideration of various factors, including the
cost-benefit aspect. This program not only encourages young individuals to
contribute to national development but also provides them with access to
educational opportunities. It also supports Nepali institutions suffering from
the loss of students to overseas institutions. Volunteers will be engaged in a
variety of areas, including but not limited to development projects, education,
environmental conservation efforts, healthcare services, public health, and
sanitation, as well as educational outreach initiatives.
The Ministry of Youth could serve as the ideal
entity to provide training and orientation before deploying volunteers to the
field. Programs like the European Solidarity Corps operate in a similar manner,
offering pre-deployment preparation. I also believe we could leverage the
expertise of professionals such as doctors, engineers, and nurses, who are
rapidly leaving our country in large numbers, to contribute their skills to
rural areas before seeking opportunities abroad.
The challenge lies in ensuring that these
professionals do not duplicate their efforts, volunteering both after
completing high school and again after obtaining their professional degrees.
Many of these graduates possess valuable expertise beyond what high school
graduates can offer. Thus, we must strategize on how to effectively engage them
without redundancy.
Some Examples
Drawing inspiration from various youth
volunteering programs worldwide, such as Nigeria's National Youth Service Corps
(NYSC), Germany's voluntary civilian service, and Canada's Katimavik program,
the NYVS aims to foster a sense of civic responsibility and national pride
among Nepali youth. This initiative seeks to harness the talent and potential
of young Nepalis to address local challenges while nurturing their academic
aspirations. This program can also be used to leverage the talent and skills of
those born abroad to Nepali parents in the diaspora, highlighting its emphasis
on fostering a spirit of unity and solidarity among all Nepalis, irrespective
of cultural, religious, geography, or social background.
There are several examples of countries
implementing youth volunteer programs with skill training components. Another
example is the European Solidarity Corps, which offers volunteering
opportunities for young people aged 18 to 30 across Europe. Before deployment,
participants receive training related to their chosen project, as well as
language and intercultural learning. In Canada, there's Katimavik, a national
youth volunteer service program that offers young Canadians aged 17 to 25 the
opportunity to volunteer and gain valuable skills through community placements
across the country. Participants receive orientation and training before
beginning their placements. These programs typically include training in areas
such as language, cultural sensitivity, project management, and specific skills
relevant to the volunteer work they'll be undertaking. Implementing a similar
model in Nepal could provide young volunteers with the necessary skills and
preparation to contribute effectively to rural development projects while also
ensuring their safety and well-being.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the establishment of a National
Youth Volunteer Service in Nepal represents a step towards addressing the
challenges of brain drain and fostering national development. By encouraging
young individuals to contribute to their country through volunteer service and
providing access to educational opportunities, this initiative aims to retain
talent, support local institutions, and nurture a sense of civic responsibility
among Nepali youth. Moreover, leveraging such a volunteering service program
can allow Nepal to obtain returns on its investment in its youth by deploying
them in rural sectors before their departure to foreign lands, thereby
contributing to local development and enriching their experiences for future
endeavors.
Acknowledgement:
The paper has benefited from the valuable feedback
provided by Kedar Bhakta Mathema (former VC of TU). I would welcome further
refinements to this idea.
