The Scientific Research in Libya: The Role of the New Generation of Researchers

There is a potential for improving the scientific research environment in Libya. One reason to be optimistic about the prospects of the future of science in Libya is the number of postgraduate students in all disciplines who are training in European and North American Universities. According to statistics of the Higher Education Authorities in Libya, there are approximately 3000 Libyan students enrolled in postgraduate studies in British universities alone and almost half of this number in North America [1]. However, research output of Libyan universities’ academic staff members is still very low. For example, a recent survey of published medical literature revealed that the average annual production rate at the Al-Fateh Medical University is 1.4 article/100 academic staff [2]. In my opinion, four major reasons may explain the problems facing scientific research in Arab countries in general and in Libya in particular: 1) Brain Drain 2) Lack of funding 3) Lack of scientific infrastructure and incompetent supportive staff, and 4) Teaching overload. I will discuss the role that the new generation of Libyan researchers* could play to advance the scientific research output in Libya.