The Brain Drain-Gain, Quality of Higher Education and Development in Malawi

Abstract

The paper re-examines the contentious assertions surrounding the "brain drain-gain" debate vis-a-vis quality of higher education and development in poorly resourced countries like Malawi. The entry point of this contribution is the underlying assumptions of Human Capital theory, in particular those that centre the instrumental role of higher education in socio-economic and political development of a nation. The discussion begins with definition of development, followed by a discussion of the role of higher education in national development, and ends with a critique of the "brain drain-gain" controversy. The central argument is that while "brain drain/circulation" in environments of surplus critical human resources may translate to significant gains for countries "supplying" brains, the phenomenon tends to cripple education systems and stifles development in poorly resourced countries.