Site Map |
Overview |
Background |
Respondents |
Analysis |
Factors |
Remarks |
Recommendations
This chapter brings out the key issues and concerns from the survey.
Some of the issues brought out by the survey have to be taken up at the APEC level for remedial action. Examples are:
Most of the researchers have to pay income tax at two places, on the basis of residence and source, when they go on a overseas research assignment. Even if there is a double taxation policy, it becomes difficult and time consuming for the researchers to process and apply for tax refunds. Further considerable sum has to be spent for paying professional assistance.
Some of them feel that visa fees are high and should actually be abolished for researchers travelling between APEC economies for research purposes only.
Availability and transfer of currency between economies and ATM facilities should be improved in some economies.
Some of the important feed backs on the survey forms are:
Language and culture should be separated;
Delete place of birth from the questionnaire;
Delete economies visited or worked column. If it is not possible, make it simple;
Field of study/research should be incorporated; and
Increase number of factors by adding factors such as location of collaborator, transfer to the other unit, change in environment, visit a new place or see a new culture and tourist attraction.
There was a good response from the researchers from APEC economies. Even after the closing date of 31st July 98, researchers are sending in their questionnaire. They took lot of interest in the project. There are requests for the copy of the final report.
The following points are proposed for further discussions among APEC working group:
Policy Matters
Initiate a special interest in APEC forum on 'mobility of researchers'. APEC's AST-WEB can be used to create a chat group on this topic. The survey system developed can be installed on AST-WEB, for use by member economies.
Some of the issues brought out by the survey have to be taken up at the APEC level for remedial action. Examples are:
Most of the researchers have to pay income tax at two places, on the basis of residence and source, when they go on a overseas research assignment. Even if there is a double taxation policy, it becomes difficult and time consuming for the researchers to process and apply for tax refunds. Further considerable sum has to be spent for paying professional assistance.
Some of them feel that visa fees are high and should actually be abolished for researchers travelling between APEC economies for research purposes only.
Availability and transfer of currency between economies and ATM facilities should be improved in some economies.
Future Survey Method
The survey system developed can be improved based on the feed back received and experience obtained while carrying out the project. This can be packaged as an electronic cum paper based survey system to analyse mobility issues of S&T (science & technology) personnel.
Each economy should ensure that it gets a good number of its residents to complete the questionnaire in future.
Dissemination
The compiled report on survey-1 and survey-2 should be distributed to authorities of APEC economies, to help them plan for research manpower and initiate promotion mechanisms for improving researchers' mobility among APEC economies.
The report and information collected should be also made available to general research community in APEC economies.
Other recommendation for medium term planning and implementation are:
Policy Matters
As a next stage, it is suggested to initiate a research project to develop researchers mobility index or patterns of Scientists & Technologists migration or researcher attractiveness indicator for APEC economies. This will help to quantify factors responsible for attracting researchers to an economy.
Creation of Funding to package the system developed for subsequent phases and dissemination of results to the wider community.
Creation of Funding to support APEC researchers exchange programs. The funds will be used for travel, training and other expenses.
As lack of information came out as one of the issues, it is necessary to create APEC database network on Researchers. Internet and WEB will be the means for achieving wider support and usage. The content will be mainly:
R&D institutions in APEC region;
R&D projects database;
Researchers' profiles; and
links to relevant and related web sites·
Recognition of past qualifications and experience is a major barrier to free flow of researchers. Similar to IT certification, there should be certification of researchers' in APEC region.
Future Survey Method
Some of the important feed backs on the survey forms are:
Language and culture should be separated
Delete place of birth from the questionnaire
Field of study/research should be incorporated
Dissemination
The economies, which have problem in generating data should be helped with survey systems and technical consultancy.
As a last word, researcher's mobility is not a small and short term project, but an ongoing process. It should be studied, analysed and improved continuously and implemented in many phases in the next few years to make a significant impact.