One in three Imec researchers comes from outside the EU
The number of researchers from outside the European Union is rising in Flemish research centres, as the region continues to attract international scientific talent.
At semiconductor research centre imec, half of all staff now come from abroad, De Standaard writes. Most are from outside the EU. Over the past five years, the share of non-EU researchers has risen from 25 to 34 per cent.
Other major research institutes show a similar trend. At Vito, the figure increased from 26 to 31 per cent. At the Flemish Institute for Biotechnology (VIB) it went up slightly, from 20 to 21 per cent. At Flanders Make, the share rose from 12.2 to 17.8 per cent.
Flemish MP Katia Segers of socialist party Vooruit, who requested the figures, says this is positive news. She stresses that foreign researchers are not replacing Belgian ones, as the total number of Belgian researchers is also growing.
Segers says attracting top international researchers is vital for the Flemish economy, especially as fewer students are choosing STEM subjects. She warns against limiting the number of foreign university students, as the Netherlands plans to do, saying this could harm future prosperity by reducing the flow of talent into research institutions.
#FlandersNewsService | © BELGA PHOTO BENOIT DOPPAGNE
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