Ergun calls on Turkish scientists abroad to return to Turkey

The Scientific and Technical Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK) Congress of Turkish Scientists Abroad kicked off yesterday in Istanbul with the support of Ministry of Science, Industry and Technology. Speaking at the congress, bringing together approximately 100 scientists from various countries, Science, Industry and Technology Minister Nihat Ergun said, "No matter how hard we try to explain that our country is a beautiful place, we can't do it as well as our scientists or entrepreneurs who represent us abroad. For this reason, every citizen who is working abroad as a teacher or involved in training is 'brain power' to us." Ergun stated that Turkey's export volume, which amounted to $36 billion a decade ago, had reached $140 billion as of 2012, noting that the country has risen to 16th place, from 26th a decade ago, in the ranking of world economies by size. "These developments are positive, but not nearly enough. Turkey is no longer a country where there are coups, and where people flee. We want Turkish scientists to come back to our country. If they are planning on returning, they should understand that Turkey is no longer the country they knew it to be," Ergun added.