Federal Minister for Science and Technology Chaudhry Nouraiz Shakoor said on Saturday the government had taken various initiatives to reverse the brain drain situation in the country. "We must strive to attract and retain world class professionals in various segments for country's economic competitiveness," he added.
He was speaking to the representatives of the 'careerpakistan.org' organisation in his office that called on him to apprise him of their 'Reverse Brain Drain Programme' a UN recognised project.
The minister said that 66 percent Pakistanis wanted to go abroad to seek better economic prospects and in pursuance of a career. He said it resulted in an intellectual vacuum of highly skilled persons and professionals.
The government took serious notice of this brain drain and took various initiatives to check and reverse this phenomenon, he added.
"Government is now offering good salaries to professionals, creating linkages and networks between employers and highly skilled manpower," he said. A national talent pool had been created of Professionals with outstanding merit, he added.
Minister said that research incentives and research grants are being offered to promote the research culture in the country along with short-term and long-term foreign faculty hiring programme.
Earlier, the 'Career Pakistan. Organisation representatives Bilal Kayani and Rabeel Warraich apprised the minister of their programme.