By Zakiya Al-Hajji
Education and scientific research are important elements for human progress. Global economies rely heavily on creative, highly qualified and highly trained cadre to develop countries. Highly competent citizens play a pivotal role in economic, social, political and cultural development.
They are the backbone of society and the ones who help the country overcome challenges of sustainable development. The Kingdom has brilliant Saudi doctors, engineers, pilots, biologists, astronomers etc.
We are proud of the Saudis who work in foreign countries and contribute greatly to advancement in fields such as medicine, engineering, astronomy, architecture and many other complicated and sophisticated subjects. There are individuals such as Ghada Al-Mutairi, Mashaal Al-Shimaimri, Shad Al-Azzaz and Naif Al-Rodhan.
They and many Saudis like them had a chance to pursue higher studies in the United States and other countries. They proved to be highly capable and competent in their fields and took on jobs at prestigious global research centers.
Why can we not attract these brilliant Saudis living abroad back to the Kingdom and provide them with everything they need to contribute to the Kingdom’s development? We need them to come back to conduct research in science. Besides, those Saudis should return something to society.
The Kingdom is working on implementing its Transformation Plan and Vision 2030. This is the best time for Saudi researchers, scientists and doctors, etc. to come back home. We should encourage them to come back because we need them. We desperately need their creative skills, innovative thinking and knowledge. We do not want to lose them and let other countries benefit from them.
We need to create an attractive work environment and finance their research to win them back and convince them to return home. We should set up an independent center and its task should be attracting Saudi brain drain and build a database for them to help Saudi universities contact them and consult them on various issues.
