Foreign-born scientists an untapped resource: report

A new study says Canada should lead the charge in developing mechanisms to allow researchers from developing nations working in Canada, to contribute to scientific development and innovation in their countries of origin. The report says the estimated 15,000 science and health-related experts from developing countries represent "an untapped resource for their countries of origin and their host countries" since there is little support or awareness of the potential their contributions. The study was undertaken by Univ of Toronto researchers at the Canadian Program on Genomics and Global Health at the Joint Centre for Bioethics, and the McLaughlin Centre for Molecular Medicine. The lead researchers are Béatrice Séguin, Peter Singer and Abdallad Daar. They call for institutional support through Diaspora Business Initiatives and funding for direct interaction through a National Science Corps modeled on the Global Science Corps recently established in the US. The researchers say greater North-South interaction through the scientific diaspora would enhance the competitiveness and productivity of both developed and developing nations. They note that the federal government's plan to create an agency to assess the credential of professionals immigrating to Canada could be the basis of a Diaspora Knowledge Network....