Birzeit University President Dr. Hanna Nasir participated in the regional meeting of the International Association of Universities, which took place at the University of Nankai, China from 24-26 May 1994.

The conference focused on the theme "Migration of Brains: International Cooperation and the Mobility of Highly Qualified Manpower." Dr. Nasir joined University presidents and officials from the U.S., Europe, China, Japan and India, among others, in a fruitful interchange.

Dr. Nasir delivered a paper on "Policies for International Cooperation: Keeping a Balance with the National Interest." Dr. Nasir noted that " the 'donation' of fully-trained and internationally-qualified human resources from poor to rich nations is part of a vicious circle of negative development", and suggested more equitable and rational international and national policies." He stressed the role of universities as key producers of highly-qualified human resources and proposed a multi-faceted approach to the creation of indigenous scientific and technical capabilities.