list of Iranian chairs and directors of academia in these countries is arguably a sound index of this reality. Iran's brain-drain has become a focus of the media both domestically and internationally. Some blame an impoverished job market (which in turn is blamed by many on Western-imposed economic sanctions), while others blame a notoriously tightening social system. As a symptom of this, in 2006, Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad promised to eradicate all universities from what he called "the liberal and secular influence". A report by The Washington Prism in January 2006 claims that the International Monetary Fund considers Iran to be ranked highest in brain-drain among developing countries, with an estimated 180,000 people exiting Iran. The Islamic Republic News Agency reports the figure to be 200,000. According to the Iranian Ministry of Culture and Higher Education, there are approximately 50,000 Iranian students currently studying abroad. Efforts to reverse trend In recent years, several measures have been taken to slow down the brain-drain by providing work and research facilities for academics and highly skilled workers. In February 2003, the Iran National Science Foundation was established to promote science and technology in Iran and benefit the welfare of those engaged in research and development. Another institution founded to deal with the welfare of Iranians working in the sciences and technology is the "Iran National Geniuses" foundation. Iran has tried to compensate for the brain-drain by introducing the Graduate Record Bill, which calls for the internalization and expansion of education at the graduate level, thus increasing the number of graduates. Further reading Migration Information Source - Iran's entry UCSC Study See also Economy of Iran Higher education in Iran International rankings of Iran Iranian diaspora Science and technology in Iran References External links International Migration, Remittances and the Brain Drain in Group of 15 Countries Education in Iran Economy of Iran Science and technology in Iran Brain drain Higher education in Iran