Executive Statement
President's Vision: Transforming Africa's Intellectual Landscape
A message from Dr. Doh Pascal, President & Coordinator of DIANA ry
Introduction
Welcome to DIANA ry
Dear friends, stakeholders, and education donors in Africa,
Welcome to the inaugural launch of DIANA ry, where we are dedicated to "Reversing and Demystifying Brain Drain in the New Normal Era through the African Diaspora." DIANA (Diaspora Academic Network for Africa) has a forward-looking approach, steering clear of the well-trodden narratives surrounding the impact of brain drain on Africa's development.
We all know the statistics, such as the disproportionate number of Nigerian Medical Doctors in the United Kingdom compared to Nigeria's population. However, we believe you're here for something new, something beyond the familiar discourse on the positive and negative aspects of brain gain and drain. The novelty lies in the background and motivations that led to the creation of DIANA ry.
Our Approach
A Data-Driven Approach
At DIANA ry, we are committed to data-driven decision-making. To this end, we are in the process of conducting a study (temporarily paused due to resource constraints), particularly focused on Europe. This study aims to shed light on the experiences of highly educated and talented Africans who have emigrated to Europe over the past three decades.
Surprisingly, many of these African Ph.D. graduates find themselves in careers unrelated to their fields of study or are underemployed. Some have taken on jobs with lower skill requirements, like taxi driving, cleaning, or food distribution. Others have pivoted to nursing, not initially part of their career plans, in search of stability or better pay.
A few Ph.D. holders even find themselves reliant on social welfare schemes in their host countries. Some work in academia but face precarious job conditions with short-term contracts, often moving in and out of academia.
Call to Action
To Our Education Donors
To our generous donors focused on education in Africa,
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, numerous partnerships and funding initiatives have emerged to support education in Africa. However, many of these efforts have been oriented toward basic and secondary education, with insufficient attention given to higher education.
We believe that Africa's socio-economic and technological transformation hinges not only on primary and secondary education but also on higher education. Universities play a pivotal role in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as we emphasized at the 76th United Nations General Assembly Science Summit.
Our Mission
A Timely Initiative
Investing in harnessing the potential of the African intellectual diaspora to contribute to Africa's knowledge economy is both timely and politically astute. We invite you to support this initiative, which aligns with the pursuit of a just global knowledge economy, balanced globalization, and equal brain circulation.
Gratitude
Thank You
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all those who have contributed to building and launching this initiative. Special thanks go to our dedicated team members, both volunteers and recruited professionals, who are spearheading DIANA ry's mission in major European and American cities. We also appreciate the efforts of our local representatives and ambassadors in Africa.
Join us in championing global partnership, celebrating the African Intellectual Diaspora, and supporting DIANA ry's journey towards a brighter future.
Long Live Global Partnership,
Long Live the African Intellectual Diaspora,
Long Live DIANA ry.
Dr. Doh Pascal
President & Coordinator, DIANA ry