“Brain drain” in higher education: The case of cyprus

This chapter makes a historic overview of the paths that Cypriots have been taking for their higher education and discusses the macro-and micro-sociological factors relating to the structure of the available opportunities. It discusses the impact of the growing number of Cypriot graduates who study abroad and opt to remain and work overseas, something that constitutes what is widely refered to as “brain drain.” It further discusses the immediate and the unintended consequences that this phenomenon has for the country’s long-term revival from a protracted crisis that spans beyond the economy, and often has social and cultural implications that sustain or even broaden inequalities within the country, but also at a cross-country level. More specifically, however, it discusses the effects that this trend has on the whole gamut of factors that affect the quantitative and qualitative development of domestic higher education both in the public and private sectors.