Academics 'queuing to quit SA'

Vox Populi Vox Dei

Vox Populi Vox Dei

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http://www.timeslive.co.za/thetimes/2016/10/12/Academics-queuing-to-quit-SA

A brain drain that would hollow out South Africa's top tertiary educational institutions could be looming as panicked academics look for jobs overseas.

The Times in Cape Town was contacted by a group of academics who said that most of their colleagues are afraid to speak out against the current student anarchy and violence and are secretly looking for employment at more stable institutions.

The impending "mass exodus" looms as the stalemate between university managements and the student protesters continues.

A recent study by the International Monetary Fund found that skilled workers are exiting sub-Saharan Africa at an increasing rate, and that the number of sub-Saharan migrants living in developed countries could increase from about 7million in 2013 to about 34million by 2050.

One academic in the humanities faculty at the University of Cape Town, who asked not to be named, said he was looking for a position further afield and that other academics, not only at UCT, were doing the same.

"The gradual effect of the continued protests will be the eventual impoverishment of South African tertiary educational institutions," the source said. "The very best academics will look for, and easily secure, employment at more stable universities [elsewhere].

"Top researchers will choose to do their PhDs elsewhere.

"This will be disastrous, not only for South Africa but for Africa as a whole, since much of the research into challenges facing the continent emanates from the top South African institutions."

A lecturer in the science department said "a number of colleagues in my department and faculty, and in the entire research and academic community of the university, are looking for positions overseas, given the current climate of uncertainty.

"I personally am looking into job options in Europe, the US and other countries", with "freedom of speech vanishing" and "insufficient funds now a reality".

The exodus of academics would "bring South African universities down to the same level as the worst tertiary institutions in the world", the lecturer said.

Another lecturer, who also did not want to be named, said: "This is a double-edged brain drain. Top academics will leave and the wealth of knowledge and skills they pass onto students will come to a halt."
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its ok... with free education we will have an oversupply:crylaugh:
 
The exodus of academics would "bring South African universities down to the same level as the worst tertiary institutions in the world", the lecturer said.
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Decolonisation coming along nicely...
 
I’m one of those leaving.
Job secured abroad and visas issued.
Just waiting to flog my property and I'm off.

Four of the seven senior academics in my department are doing the same.
The majority of SA students today are no longer worthy of my time and effort.
I'm going to teach where my input is appreciated and where people want to uplift themselves.
 
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I'm sure some hard cores will stay until it gets unbearable, but this is pretty much logical. Why stay where you aren't appreciated or paid well.
 
Seems the students are so short sighted that they dont consider what would happen to the QUALITY of the education once it becomes free. Have they not looked at our state hospitals that is essentially free to see in what condition its in?

Have they not considered that most top academics will not stick around if there are limited budgets for research and equipment, no bonuses and lousy increases?

I will bet my bottom dollar that tertiary education will be made free in this country, and that within 5 years we will bring our universities on par with our schooling system. Degrees that are worth toilet paper. Decolonization doesn't even have to be fought for, as the article points out, most top academics are already leaving.

And so we are brought one step closer to becoming just another African country. Poor, corrupt, dysfunctional and not even a glimmer of hope of ever becoming a developed nation
 
KillerX said:
Seems the students are so short sighted that they dont consider what would happen to the QUALITY of the education once it becomes free. Have they not looked at our state hospitals that is essentially free to see in what condition its in?
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Don't forget that the majority don't know any better than their own low standards.
 
Vegeta said:
Where are you going? Will you be able to buy property over there once you sell here?
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New Zealand.

No, the value of my home here in SA will not even pay half towards a smaller home in New Zealand, but it will form a substantial deposit on a new home. However I'll be earning enough to pay off the new home without a sweat. The bonus is I will no longer be paying medical aid, pension contributions, security or for the education of my kids. These will be significant savings on my salary spend.

Two years ago I realised the longer I stay here, the Rand will depreciate and the chances of relocating will become more difficult as foreign countries tighten up their quota of South African immigrants. Foreign countries run their immigration on quota systems and embassies in the quota manged countries may not exceed the numbers allocated to them, even if they have people who qualify of paper.

If you have a degree, I implore you to start weighing your options very seriously and very soon.
Ask yourself where you and your family would like to be and what you can achieve here in five or ten years time vs. abroad.

Time is ticking before its too late to leave.
 
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The beginning of the end of the African continent's top universities..
 
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