British government warned against tighter student visa rules
University groups and a major thinktank in the UK have warned the government against tighter student visa rules saying these could shut the door for many overseas aspirants for British universities.
The warning comes amid speculations that the Home Office is considering measures including tougher English language requirements for foreign students.
The measure would prove a "nail in the coffin" and could prevent about 15% of the current intake from gaining visas, Dominic Scott, head of the UK Council for International Student Affairs said.
The language proposal was initiated by the Home Office following a speech by Prime Minister David Cameron in May in which he called for curbing abuses and shutting bogus colleges.
University groups say more barriers sends out a negative message in this competitive global market. The Higher Education Policy Institute has expressed similar concerns saying the strict student visa policy would shuts out future leaders.
The thinktank says some 55 serving world leaders from 51 countries attended institutions in Britain. “We punch above our weight internationally partly because of the soft power benefits that arise from educating the world’s leaders,” said Nick Hillman, HEPI’s director.
New Australian Prime Minister, Malcolm Turnbull; Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi; Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani, Syria’s Bashar al-Assad and Benin’s Prime minister Lionel Zinsou are few on the list.
Hillman who served as special adviser on higher education at the Department for Business said tightened visa restrictions would hurt the UK’s influence in the future.
Overseas students are believed to be a source of income not only for universities in terms of tuition fee but also for locals who provide accommodation and other facilities for them.
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