Dr. Khaled M. Batarfi

The atmosphere was full of celebration and excitement. Students were in “I-can’t-believe-it,” and “Is-it-really-happening?” mode. Proud parents were crowding the place. Children in festive dresses were running around. People were smiling, laughing and hugging, while congratulating one another.



Few were nostalgic: Many years of hard work were over. Grads were about to go home with the prize they fought for, leaving behind some sweet memories and lifestyle.



Soon, they will be living in a different world than here. They will still find their McDonalds and Starbucks, but in a different environment. Girls used to drive won’t be able to. Boys accustomed to studying in mixed classrooms would be separated at workplace. Some may miss the music and movie nights, and the liberal lifestyle. All are certain to miss school life in Canada.



Still, all were happy and excited, on that special night. The main hall of the Convention Center, in Ottawa, was crowded with more than a thousand students of all majors and degrees, from bachelor to PhD. Young men and women, some with their wives and husbands, others with parents and family members, were filling the space with youthful hope and energy.



I went through the Job Day exhibition where representatives of 20 government agencies, hospitals and private companies were meeting with graduates to discuss job opportunities and distribute brochures and gifts.



When the doors of the theater-like hall opened, the excitement reached a higher level. The Minister of Higher Education, Dr. Khaled Al-Anqari, the Saudi Ambassador to Canada Naif Al-Sudairy and officials from the ministry and embassy, as well as Arab and Canadian guests had just arrived. Female and male students took their assigned seats in either side of the hall. Guests, like us, and family members sat in the middle.



The ceremony was about to start, when I asked a group of students whether they thought of staying back —living and working in North America?



“Yes, we did think about it. Joining the likes of Microsoft, IBM, GM, and world-class universities, research centers and hospitals does make sense. Living a sophisticated life and having our kids enrolled in top schools are good reasons,” they admitted.



However, they felt it wasn’t right. Their country had sent them here to learn and be trained for one purpose: To return with acquired knowledge and skills, helping in the development of their nation and the progress of their society.



“Home sweet home!” exclaimed a young heart surgeon. “There is no place like home!”



I couldn’t help returning with my thoughts to the school years in the United States. Then, in the late nineties, the economic situation in Saudi Arabia wasn’t as bright as it is today and work opportunities were not plentiful. Still, worries and concerns aside, I felt as strongly as those young people, that there wasn’t and would never be a home like home.



Unfortunately, that was not the case with many of my Arab colleagues. Most non-GCC students were looking for permanent residence in the “New World.” Their reasons are almost the same. “Why would I go back to a country where the present is not inviting, and the future is not encouraging?” said a Syrian.



“Add insecurity and a repressive regime to that,” said a Libyan. A Palestinian didn’t even need to explain his reasons. Others were citing difficult economic and political issues at home. Unemployment and lack of sophisticated work environment were atop the list. “What I am going to do with my PhD in nuclear power in Khartoum?” wondered a Sudanese.



“An American passport, my friend, will give you protection and prestige. You can travel and work all over the globe, knowing that the Superpower of the day is behind you. Unlike my government, Uncle Sam will never let you down!” explained a Yemeni student.



I tried arguing “your country needs you!” line, but to no avail. Losing hope leads to losing faith and loyalty. True, you owe your nation a great deal, but it is also true that it owes you back. You can’t send your young to study in the world’s best universities and countries, and then expect them to accept the same poor, harsh and backward living, study and workspace!

All you are doing is to invest in brains then give them away. Hosting countries will win both ways — the investment and the invested in.



Back to the Graduation Night in Ottawa, Canada. Back to the shouts of joy and “We are going home!” beats. Back to the future of our nation in the eyes of our best investment...our boys and girls who are coming home with the knowledge, skills and promise of a future to die for.

Thanks Saudi Arabia! Unlike many other nations, you earned your youth’s love, gratitude and loyalty.



– Dr. Khaled M. Batarfi can be reached at kbatarfi@gmail.com and followed on Twitter: @kbatarfi