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Put as a simple in equation:
(Annual Remittances from foreign educated students) plus (Annual scholarships earned) plus (Annual Loans and Interests paid back) >> $4Billion spent by Indians to study abroad.

Brain Drain of Top-Notch Researches (and employment)

Allowing students to study in foreign universities in India cannot stop Brain drain. Only providing appropriate opportunities in India to talented researchers can stop brain drain. Researchers want adequate facilities, and adequate funding to do research, so that they can publish their findings in top journals like Nature and Science. Most health related researches in US universities are heavily funded by NIH (National Institute of Health). Professors from Johns Hopkins University, Harvard etc. get billions of dollars as grants from government Institutions like NIH. So, Indian government has to realize the importance of funding basic research. If the same level of funding is available to existing IISc, IITs, or AIIMs, we can sure make an equal impact and we can stop the brain drain. Until then, allowing foreign universities without research funding cannot stop brain drain.

There are many researchers who have given up money, and stayed in premier Institutions like IISc., and IIMs because they love India and are happy with the research opportunities provided. Unfortunately, the government by not giving enough autonomy to these institutions, is encouraging brain drain and restricting reverse brain drain. If brain drain can be stopped by having Indians study in India, then why do we have so many Indians who got Masters and PhDs in India, working in reputed labs in US and UK? Do you think Dr. Venkataraman Ramakrishnan (Nobel Prize Winner 2009) will move to India when UC-San Diego starts a Masters program in Delhi?? Probably not.

Large Investments Required for Higher Education Only in Priority Areas

Most of the universities that have shown interest, want to start courses that have minimal requirement for infrastructure? For example, Duke university has shown interest to start the MBA program in India. Similarly, Schulich School of Business, New Castle Business School, International Management Institute-Europe, Ohio University-Business School, Merit Swiss Asian School of Hotel Management [ see "Foreign Education Bill may get Cabinet nod this week," Business Standard, September 15, 2009] are interested in setting up a campus in Mumbai.

What is the cost of starting a MBA or Hotel management program? Very little. As compared to that, starting courses in basic sciences, core engineering (like Material Science), and Medical and health education would require large investments. In the last few years, we have found that given the right autonomy and opportunity, we can gather enough funds for an International MBA School like Indian School of Business. Why do we then need foreign investments in these areas? However, we do need foreign investments in critical areas like Medical and Health Education, Biochemistry, and Basic Sciences education. We also lack enough expertise in these critical areas. Are foreign universities willing to start these courses in India? Can we have Johns Hopkins Medical School or Harvard Medical School in India?

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Dr. Parthasarathi Mohapatra completed his Ph. D. in Business Administration from University of Kentucky in 2005. He has worked as Asst. Professor at Morgan State University. Currently, he is teaching at University of Maryland-University College. He has published in several international journals and presented in international conferences.
E mail:PMohapatra@faculty.umuc.edu