Document Type : Scientific - Research
Authors
1
Psychology and education faculty, Tehran University, Tehran.Iran
2
Psychology and education faculty, Tehran University
3
UT, Full Prof
4
Faculty of Management, Tehran University
10.48308/mpes.2024.233384.1380
Abstract
Objective: In light of the growing trend of intellectual migration and the lack of return of many of elits to Iran in recent years, this research aims to identify the factors affecting the migration of academic elites, this study aims to identify the factors contributing to the migration of academic elites from the viewpoint of the functions of the higher education system in Iran.
Method: The research was conducted with a practical purpose, utilizing a qualitative data collection approach and conducting a systematic literature review. This systematic review focused on scientific-research articles published in Iran between 2002 and 2022, which were gathered from domestic scientific-research databases, including Normags, Magiran, and the Humanities data Base. Based on specific criteria, such as relevance to the research topic, focus on university elites, consideration of higher education system factors influencing academic elites' migration, the scientific-research nature of the articles, and a specific timeframe, 34 articles were selected from 944 studies through a thorough review of titles, abstracts, and content and were then analyzed. The credibility of the qualitative findings was confirmed through the traingulation method and expert consultation. The results of the systematic review led to the identification of two clustered categories, including push and pull factors, and 34 concepts in the form of 11 components. Discussion & Conclusion: This research investigates the factors that influence the migration of university elites in Iran from the perspective of higher education's functions. A review of research conducted over the past two decades (2002-2022) identified 11 distinct factors, including six push factors (insufficient educational quality, inadequate research ecosystem quality, insufficient innovation system efficiency, inadequate education governance system efficiency, challenges and obstacles in attracting and retaining university elites, and an unsuitable academic culture and atmosphere) and five pull factors (educational system quality, research quality, the presence of an academic culture and atmosphere, an efficient faculty retention and professional development system, and a dynamic interaction between the university and society).Based on this, while the motivations for elite movements and migrations are multifaceted and numerous, in addition to economic, political, and social factors, one of the most significant factors driving the migration of university elites in developing nations is access to high-quality education in various dimensions. As a result, Iranian policymakers and officials, particularly those in the higher education sector, must not only strive to address push factors within the country and enhance the quality of higher education to retain elites, but also prioritize strategies for repatriating them as a national strategy. These strategies have propelled the development of regular return programs with the objective of "reversing the brain drain" in recent years, policymakers and officials should concentrate on strategies to harness the potential of elite migrants residing beyond the nation's borders through the mechanism of elite circulation.
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