SciDev.Net

Young scientists from Iran are leaving the country in droves. Half of the 240 young Iranians who have won prizes in scientific competitions have now left the country, with more than 75 per cent moving to the United States.

At the same time, universities in the neighbouring states — such as the United Arab Emirates — plan to attract more foreign students, including Iranians. But the majority of Iranians studying overseas do not intend to return to Iran.

Although the brain drain declined after Iran's Islamic revolution, the rate of emigration increased during and since the 1980-1988 Iran-Iraq war. Yet, according to this article from TehranTimes.com, the ministry of science, research and technology has no plan in place to address the consequences of the departure of Iranian scientific expertise.

Link to full TehranTimes.com news story