Welcome to European Tribune. It's gone a bit quiet around here these days, but it's still going.
Display:
BBC News - Hungarian government 'traps' graduates to stop brain drain
Hungarian students receiving state-sponsored university places have been told they must remain in Hungary for at least 10 years after their graduation - but does this move to halt the country's brain drain violate EU freedom of movement laws?

Plugging the brain drain

Even for the lucky students who can study what they like and get a free state-sponsored place, there is a catch in the new higher education law.

They have to sign a contract promising to stay in Hungary for several years after graduation.

The idea is to pay the state back for investing in their education. The longer they study, the longer they have to stay.

For example, the annual fees to study medicine is around two million forints (£6,000; 7,175 euros) and most young medics will be grounded for at least a decade, considering the length of their study.

But perhaps the state has a point. Why should the hard-up Hungarian government pay to train doctors if they immediately leave for better paid jobs in Western Europe or the US?

by Bernard (bernard) on Sun Aug 19th, 2012 at 07:08:31 AM EST
[ Parent ]
Is the Hungarian state going to guarantee enough qualified jobs for these people, or do they have to stay for 10 years working at McDonald's?

If you are not convinced, try it on someone who has not been entirely debauched by economics. — Piero Sraffa
by Carrie (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Sun Aug 19th, 2012 at 01:08:06 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Or qualified jobs at McDonald's wages perhaps?
by Katrin on Sun Aug 19th, 2012 at 02:50:06 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Sure, at least in that case after 10 years you actually have the experience and have kept up to date in your field, so you can actually get a real job abroad.

If you are not convinced, try it on someone who has not been entirely debauched by economics. — Piero Sraffa
by Carrie (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Sun Aug 19th, 2012 at 03:43:50 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Display:

Occasional Series