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Egyptian Government's Diaspora Engagement Strategy: a Qualitative American University in Cairo AUC Knowledge Fountain Theses and Dissertations 2-1-2018 Egyptian government’s diaspora engagement strategy: A qualitative study Mai Abou Samra Follow this and additional works at: https://fount.aucegypt.edu/etds Recommended Citation APA Citation Abou Samra, M. (2018).Egyptian government’s diaspora engagement strategy: A qualitative study [Master’s thesis, the American University in Cairo]. AUC Knowledge Fountain. https://fount.aucegypt.edu/etds/546 MLA Citation Abou Samra, Mai. Egyptian government’s diaspora engagement strategy: A qualitative study. 2018. American University in Cairo, Master's thesis. AUC Knowledge Fountain. https://fount.aucegypt.edu/etds/546 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by AUC Knowledge Fountain. It has been accepted for inclusion in Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of AUC Knowledge Fountain. For more information, please contact [email protected]. The American University in Cairo The School of Global Affairs and Public Policy Egyptian Government’s Diaspora Engagement Strategy: A Qualitative Study By Mai Abou Samra A Thesis Submitted to the Public Policy and Administration Department in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the degree of Master of Public Administration Supervised by: Dr. Shahjahan Bhuiyan Winter 2018 Table of Contents Acknowledgements ....................................................................................................................................... 4 Abstract ......................................................................................................................................................... 5 List of Figures ............................................................................................................................................... 6 List of Tables ................................................................................................................................................ 7 Acronyms ...................................................................................................................................................... 8 Chapter 1: Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 9 1.1 Increasing Migration Trends ....................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined. 1.2 Background ................................................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined. 1.3 Brain Gain in Egypt .................................................................................................................... 11 1.4 History of Migration in Egypt ..................................................................................................... 11 1.5 Current Egyptian Diaspora.......................................................................................................... 13 1.6 Statement of the Problem (Main Research Question and Specific Research Questions) ........... 13 1.6.1 Main Research Question ............................................................................................................ 14 1.6.2 Specific Research Questions ...................................................................................................... 14 1.7 Importance of the Study .............................................................................................................. 15 1.8 Organization of the Study ........................................................................................................... 15 Chapter 2: Literature Review ...................................................................................................................... 16 2.1 Why Engage with the Diaspora? ................................................................................................. 16 2.1.1 Diaspora and Economic Development in Countries of Origin .................................................. 16 2.2 Why Human Capital Engagement? ............................................................................................. 17 2.2.1 Human Capital Engagement (academic and professional) ........................................................ 17 2.2.2 Diaspora Knowledge Networks ................................................................................................. 18 2.3 Prerequisites for Diaspora Engagement: ..................................................................................... 18 2.4 How to Engage with the Diaspora .............................................................................................. 19 2.4.1 Diaspora Option Theory: Beneifts of Engaging with the Diaspora (Skills and Knowledge Transfer) .............................................................................................................................................. 19 1 2.4.3 Professional engagement of the diaspora ................................................................................... 20 2.4.4 Academic engagement of the diaspora ...................................................................................... 20 2.4.5 Creation of Diaspora Knowledge Networks .............................................................................. 20 2.5 Literature Gap ............................................................................................................................. 21 Chapter 3: Conceptual framework .............................................................................................................. 22 3.1 Framework of the Study of Diaspora Engagement and the “Diaspora Option” ......................... 22 3.2 Significance of Human Capital Transfer..................................................................................... 24 3.3 Diaspora Role in International Development through Human Capital Transfer.................. Error! Bookmark not defined. 3.4 Political and Legal Framework in Egypt .................................................................................... 25 3.4.1 Current Government Political Framework ................................................................................. 25 3.4.2 Egyptian Diaspora Legal Framework ........................................................................................ 26 Chapter 4: Methodology ............................................................................................................................. 27 4.1 Qualitative Research ................................................................................................................... 27 4.2 Basic Aim of the Research .......................................................................................................... 27 4.3 Research Design and Sampling Overview .................................................................................. 27 4.4 In-depth Interviews Overview .................................................................................................... 28 4.4.1 Professional Interviews .............................................................................................................. 28 4.4.2 Study Limitation ........................................................................................................................ 30 4.5 Survey Questionnaire .................................................................................................................. 31 4.5.1 Questionnaire design .................................................................................................................. 31 4.5.2 Sampling selection ..................................................................................................................... 32 4.6 Other Sources .............................................................................................................................. 32 4.7 Institutional Review Board ......................................................................................................... 32 4.8 Ethics Considerations .................................................................................................................. 33 Chapter 5: Analysis and Findings ............................................................................................................... 34 5.1 Professional Interview Findings .................................................................................................. 34 2 5.1.1 Current Efforts and Framework for Expatriate Engagement ..................................................... 34 5.2 Challenges/Critiques to the National Diaspora Engagement Strategy ........................................ 38 5.2.1 The Diaspora .............................................................................................................................. 38 5.2.2 Definition of Expatriate Community (Diaspora vs. Expatriate versus 2nd and 3rd Generation) . 38 5.3 Diaspora In-depth Interviews Findings ....................................................................................... 42 5.3.1 Embassies Abroad ...................................................................................................................... 42 5.3.2 Assimilation ............................................................................................................................... 42 5.3.3 Association of Egyptian American Scholars .............................................................................. 42 5.3.4
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