Brain Drain : An Evaluation of Critical Success Factors Involved in Repatriating Malaysian Undergraduates

This study challenges proverbial notions by contesting that the definition of skilled human capital should be expanded to include undergraduates, and in doing so, examines three (3) possible factors that increase the propensity of Malaysian undergraduates to return. Relationships between the proposed factors and the undergraduates’ (n=175) propensity to return were statistically colligated, verified and ranked according to their correlational strength. All three independent variables: (1) Social influence: Parents, Friends and Diaspora, (2) Entrepreneurial Opportunities and Venues of Activism (Social Initiatives) and (3) Governmental Engagement of Students are statistically found to be significant at influencing the propensity of Malaysian undergraduates to return. Governmental engagement possesses the highest correlational strength, unearthing new possibilities that could result from their role in undergraduate repatriation. Following that, the implication of the findings on domestic repatriation policies were expounded upon and appropriate recommendations were made as a conclusory discussion