Heading East or West for opportunities

As some Saudi graduates from foreign universities are finding out, their services are being sought by multinationals and local companies in the countries they graduated from. Many of them chose to take up the offer instead of returning home and serving their country. A report in this paper a few days ago touched upon one of the key reasons for such a departure. It highlighted the story of a doctoral graduate who had his share of troubles in attempting to gain employment in a Saudi university. After a number of dead ends at Saudi universities, he and a number of his colleagues who had had similar experiences applied to universities in the GCC, which welcomed them with open arms. As he said: “GCC universities offer special allowances to academics, including housing, health insurance and opportunities to attend conferences and seminars globally.” It’s no secret that a number of women and men have moved to other countries within the GCC because of such opportunities. Furthermore, establishing business in this country is reportedly a nightmare for some of budding entrepreneurs. Procedures between municipalities and the ministries of commerce, industry and labor simply take a very long time. This causes delays in launching projects, which causes huge losses. Migration to Dubai is by far a better option for many Saudis and is not limited to investors, but includes young Saudis of both genders who are migrating to the Emirates for better opportunities. A female executive at the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce and Industry concurred. She said that she has received information about a number of businesswomen who have either migrated or are in the process of migrating to Dubai. “Due to the recent residency correction campaign, a number of businesswomen have faced difficulties investing inside the country. Procedures and directives have increased investment costs, which has driven many to migrate to Dubai,” she said. Such impediments cause many to leave the comfort and security of family and friends and move to another country. Lama Younis is one such Saudi woman who has decided to seek her fortunes in Dubai. A graduate from Saudi Arabia’s Effat University in 2005 with a degree in Counseling Psychology, she pursued her graduate studies in the UK and obtained her Masters degree from Middlesex University in London where she double majored in Criminology and Forensic Psychology. Later, at Harvard in conjunction with a renowned professor, Ms. Younis using evolutionary theory explored the emotional human vulnerability and the fact that threats to inner psychological stability are as dangerous as physical wounds. She has also completed the final requirements for her PhD in International Childhood Studies at Birkbeck, University of London, UK, a world-class institution recognized for its excellence in research and teaching. Now settled in Dubai, Lama Younis who is a full-fledged criminologist, forensic psychologist and traumatologist is also the proud founder of Hissah Enrichment Center, which is dedicated to the elevation and engagement of adults, youth and children through relevant and innovative approaches designed to empower and transform individuals, families and communities. Her mission is to enrich interpersonal skills, to develop personal empowerment, and to improve social relationships on personal and professional levels for adults, youth and children across the GCC. Why then did this woman of exceptional talent choose to develop and use her talents in the service of a country other than her own? In her own words, Lama Younis said: “I honestly chose Dubai for a few reasons…The first is that as a woman, it’s easier to set up a business in Dubai than in Saudi Arabia.” She continued: “There is easy accessibility for all GCC clients to come in for appointments and attend our workshops. Dubai is also accessible for our employees and with the other centers we are in cooperation with in London whose personnel can fly in and out at any time. Also the market in Dubai is great, as you have so many nationalities that fit into our services just great. I am close to home (Riyadh) and especially after leaving the West, it is easier as I am an hour away to visit home more often. I can go on but mainly those are my reasons.” Reading between the lines, Lama’s account is in line with that of many talented Saudis who have escaped the stifling bureaucracy and red tape and the hassle of dealing with unimaginative civil servants in Saudi Arabia and chose Dubai as an outlet for their creativity and passions. The UAE is the benefactor of such expertise from an Arab neighbor and it knows how to attract the ambitious and the innovative. It’s just too bad that their gain comes at the expense of the Kingdom’s loss. However, I somehow doubt that any official at our ministries is sitting up and taking notice. The author can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @talmaeena