Giving Compass' Take:

The author discusses how immigrant scientists from India can help their home country by speaking at conferences whenever they visit because sharing knowledge is an important tool for awareness.

What more can immigrant scientists do from abroad to help their countries?

Read about the study conducted by Urban Institute about the economic impact of immigrants in the United States.


Immigrant scientists know that India has more people living in rural areas without access to clean water than any other country. Nearly half of India’s rural population lack access to toilets, and 240 million people live without electricity. India also underperforms in medical research.

These challenges are not easy for any country, and overseas scientists can help. How? First, we don’t need invitations to help our own homeland.

The easiest way to begin, in my experience, is by giving lectures in institutes and conferences whenever we visit India. This platform is great for sharing our knowledge, inspiring students, and helping establish connections with scientists and institutions. We could also remotely mentor Indian students. I have materials that I frequently share on how to apply for fellowships, how to publish, and how to teach.

Another way to contribute is to blog and write op-eds in Indian media about topics that we care about and have expertise in. I mostly write about the TB problem in India, and make time for Indian journalists. It is helpful to go beyond pointing out the problems and offer constructive solutions on what can be done.

Read the full article about immigrant scientists by Madhukar Pai at Devex International Development