An assessment of post‐graduation residency plans of international doctoral graduates in the United States and economic status of their country of origin: The case of sub‐Saharan Africa

Abstract

AbstractThis study assessed the economic status of the country of origin of US doctoral graduates from the sub‐Saharan African region and their post‐graduation residency plans. The National Science Foundation's 2012–2017 Survey of Earned Doctorates provided data for the study. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics and contingency table analysis. The results revealed an association between the economic status of the country of origin and the post‐graduation residency plan. Sixty percent of students from the low‐income and lower‐middle‐income categories expressed an intention to stay in the United States after graduation. The study concluded that the economic status has a relationship with the decision of sub‐Saharan African doctoral students' residency plans. The recommendation is that sub‐Saharan African countries introduce and implement policies that incentivize high‐calibre personnel trained abroad to return to their home country.