India’s STEM diaspora engagement implemented by DST, DBT, SERB and CSIR is driven by this multi-scheme ecosystem which combines collaboration, circulation and selective return. There is a need for a mission-driven national framework and strategy for STEM diaspora engagement and a need for leveraging their strength for India’s scientific priorities and capacity building. Sneha Sinha writes.
Today, for knowledge economies, access to skilled and talented individuals have become increasingly important and has emerged as a key driver of innovation, growth and future prosperity. Global competition, therefore, has increased to attract a skilled workforce. Several countries have adopted immigration programmes and policies that favour import of skilled foreign workforce. In several OECD countries, health systems significantly rely on internationally trained medical professionals. India tops as the country of origin of international students moving to the United States, United Kingdom and Canada. India has a significant proportion of the STEM diaspora in global innovation hubs with a large share of Indian-origin STEM professionals in the United States, Europe and other advanced innovation ecosystems across academia, research institutions, industry labs and R&D, several present at leadership positions as well as in high-value sectors including deep-tech, advanced engineering, etc. India’s STEM diaspora is the bridge that connects it to the world, building linkages to the global systems, strengthening international cooperation, supporting S&T partnerships as well as furthering S&T capacity building.
Migration of skilled workers, often viewed as a loss for developing countries. However, lately, there has been a shift from the focus on “brain-drain” to leveraging diaspora as a development resource, aiming to mobilise talent for national development. Increasingly, countries are actively designing policies and institutions to engage with their diaspora. India’s approach to engaging its STEM diaspora has evolved significantly in the last two decades. The focus on “brain drain” has moved towards global collaboration, knowledge networks and circulation. During the last 20 years, there are several initiatives that have been taken to engage with the diaspora. They include engagement platforms like Pravasi Bharatiya Divas and Regional Pravasi Bharatiya Divas. Particularly for the science and technology specific diaspora, some schemes implemented by several ministries include VAIshwik BHArtiya Vaigyanik (VAIBHAV) Fellowship, Visiting Advanced Joint Research (VAJRA), Ramanujan Fellowship, Ramalingaswami Re-entry Fellowship, Collaborative Projects with Scientists and Technologists of Indian Origin (CP-STIO), Senior Research Associateship/Scientists Pool Scheme. There are several projects, fellowships granted through these schemes by the Department of Science and Technology, Science and Engineering Research Board, Department of Biotechnology, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research. These have helped build linkages with Indian-origin scientists abroad, some have also been absorbed in the India ecosystem with regular faculty positions. Additionally, the Pravasi Bharatiya Academic and Scientific Sampark (PRABHASS) is national digital portal that serves as a networking platform which aims to connect with global Indian S&T community, encouraging them to strengthen the Indian innovation system and solve challenges faced by India.
India’s STEM diaspora engagement implemented by DST, DBT, SERB and CSIR is driven by this multi-scheme ecosystem which combines collaboration, circulation and selective return. There is a need for a mission-driven national framework and strategy for STEM diaspora engagement and a need for leveraging their strength for India’s scientific priorities and capacity building in areas such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors, biotechnology, clean energy, etc. Equally significant is to move from scheme-based, short-term engagement to strengthening absorptive capacity and research infrastructure of Indian institutions to effectively utilise diaspora expertise. Additionally, there is a need for integration of diaspora in the industry and innovation ecosystem, including startups and deep-tech sectors.