Brain drain and higher education in Nepal

The brain drain trend has been rapidly growing in Nepal in the last few decades. This chapter examines the causes and effects of brain drain in the country's higher education. The analysis of data gathered through a semi-structured interview with 14 participants revealed that the main reasons of brain drain in Nepal were lack of job opportunities, political instability, and low salary. Lack of proper working environment, poor quality education, corruption, nepotism and favoritism in the job-recruiting process were the other factors for the brain drain. Participants also shared that brain drain has more negative effects than positive effects in Nepalese higher education. It is in the best interest of the country to create public policies and more attractive professional opportunities for educating citizens in the country, as well as mobilizing the diaspora's knowledge and skills, in order to counter the negative effect of brain drain.