The vice president for science and technology affairs stated: the topic of brain drain is a hustle. In fact, it is an organized move and a network is trying to inject this type of thinking into the society.

According to the public relations and information center of the Vice-Presidency for science and technology affairs quoted by Mehr News Agency, Sorena Sattari pointed out the exit of elites, expressing: we have seriously covered and described this issue. However, the topic of brain drain is a hustle, and I am sure that it is an organized move and a network is trying to inject this type of thinking into the society.

He continued: we do not deny this issue. Similar to other communities, some of our elites leave the country. For example, one of the highest rates of brain drain in Eastern Europe has occurred since the creation of the Single Europe. Germany and France have both benefited greatly because they bought both their companies and their banks and their elite.

The vice president for science and technology affairs affirmed: emigration is a global phenomenon. Nevertheless, some people spread and repeat these false statistics and quote a report by the international monetary organization that says Iran is ranked first in terms of brain drain. Meanwhile, no such report has ever made by the mentioned organization. They have repeated these false statistics so much that the elites believe them. This is what bothers us the most.

Monitoring the Actual Statistics of Elite Emigration in Sharif University of Technology

Sattari continued: we seek to achieve actual emigration statistics. A part of Sharif University has been allocated to this issue. However, the center has not been developed with our help, and we monitor this topic at the national elites foundation every two years. Our latest monitoring has shown that this number has significantly reduced.

Change of Emigration from Scientific to Occupational

Sattari added: it does not mean that the whole rate of emigration is decreasing. In fact, the type of emigration is changing into occupational and investment emigration. Of course, according to our general immigration statistics and the statistics provided by the United Nations each year, we are not one of the world"s 20-30 countries in the immigration debate. We neither send nor receive emigrants. However, it does not mean that we have no emigration or must not be sensitive about it.

Sattari reminded: during this time, wherever I hear a misconception about this issue, I look closely and find that person and ask them to tell us what document and source they have for their claim. After all, most of these people are either scientists or educated, and an educated person should not speak without reference. We often find that there is no answer to this. Then we push them very hard to either deny it or tell us its reference.

The president of the national elites foundation also marked: of course, it is our weakness and that of the Iranian Census Bureau that should provide immigration statistics such as population statistics. We have constantly fought on this issue and have emphasized the importance of resolving issues in this area. However, the authorities do not cooperate by not providing the necessary statistics.

Emigration of 32-40 Thousand People in a Year

Sattari emphasized: the reality is that we do not have a very high number of emigrants in terms of quantities, compared to other countries. Our overall migration statistics are between 32-40 thousand people a year. However, we observe, where they are going and what their visas are on the basis of the covered forces.

Sattari continued: in the beginning of the Islamic revolution (1977), there were 56 thousand Iranian students in the United States, forming the largest colony of international students in this country. Today, we are ranked 12^th-15^th in this regard.

He also declared: China has 350 thousand students in the US, and Trump has now reduced it to 300 thousand. Saudi Arabia has five times as many students in the United States. In addition, the South Korea has seven-eight times more students than Iran even though its population is half of ours. Despite these statistics, some people attempt to make bizarre claims.

I Do Not Deny the Emigration Phenomenon

Sattari declared: I do not deny this phenomenon but I do not believe these statistics. It is notable that the quality of our exited children is high, which is why we have focused on return of elites in the Vice-Presidency.

Return of 1500 Elites in the Past Three Years

Sattari also stated: in the past three years, we have been able to return 1400-1500 elites to the country. In addition, six-seven individuals have used our facilities and have established educational workshops or other tasks in the country.

Sattari marked: most of these individuals are recruited by startups and companies. Despite what is actually believed, they are not recruited by universities since only 400 people have become faculty members.