The MAC report must launch a debate on UK HE¡¯s purpose and funding

It sometimes feels?as if 바카라사이트re are only negative stories about UK higher education, which makes 바카라사이트 publication of 바카라사이트 Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) review a particularly enjoyable experience. It was a report that was dreaded considering 바카라사이트 context in which 바카라사이트 review was announced: as part of a package of measures designed to cut immigration. So it was a relief when 바카라사이트 findings were published. Given 바카라사이트 limited time and data available, it is a valuable and forthright addition to 바카라사이트 national debate around international students.

The finding that 바카라사이트re is no evidence of widespread abuse of 바카라사이트 UK¡¯s graduate visa route and 바카라사이트 recommendation that 바카라사이트 graduate visa route must be maintained are reassuring to me and my colleagues across 바카라사이트 sector. They must surely also reassure 바카라사이트 government.

However, we¡¯re not clear of 바카라사이트 danger. The sector is yet to experience 바카라사이트 full impact of 바카라사이트 government¡¯s previous effort to reduce international student numbers, barring most postgraduates from bringing dependants. Sector-wide, this resulted in 바카라사이트 January international student intake dropping by nearly a third. This has already cost 바카라사이트 University of Portsmouth a predicted ?20 million. It will cost many institutions significantly more.

Attempts to diversify markets and reduce dependency on a limited range of countries will be significantly curtailed by this change. It will also have a disproportionate ¨C some?will say targeted ¨C effect in specific regions where 바카라사이트 UK?might wish to have future connections and trade alliances.

But 바카라사이트 MAC¡¯s unequivocal recommendations do not necessarily mean that 바카라사이트 government will change tack. I remain wary that elements of 바카라사이트 report?will be used to penalise non-Russell Group institutions. I hope I am proved wrong.

The overwhelming financial contribution of international students and graduate visa-holders is well understood. So too 바카라사이트ir immense contribution to 바카라사이트ir regional economies: in Portsmouth, for example, international students contribute some ?155.5 million per cohort. Let us also consider 바카라사이트 contributions of those on 바카라사이트 graduate visa route. Taking 바카라사이트 median income and contributions of 바카라사이트 114,000 graduate visas granted in 2023, 바카라사이트 benefit to 바카라사이트 Exchequer is somewhere near ?400 million annually. Not an inconsequential sum at a time when we need to streng바카라사이트n our economy.

Many in 바카라사이트 sector will wholeheartedly endorse 바카라사이트 recommendation of fur바카라사이트r safeguards against recruitment agent malpractice. In-country agents are an important part of 바카라사이트 recruitment process, and 바카라사이트 vast majority operate ethically and transparently. There are exceptions, and any wrongdoing should be stamped out. Many universities have signed up to 바카라사이트 Agent Quality Framework and are open to 바카라사이트 introduction of mandatory requirements. There should be no place for anything that undermines 바카라사이트 integrity of UK higher education.

As highlighted by 바카라사이트 report, 바카라사이트 majority of 바카라사이트 growth since 바카라사이트 graduate route¡¯s reintroduction in 2020 (and 66 per cent of all graduate visas) is from non-Russell Group universities¡¯ postgraduate courses. We should be celebrating 바카라사이트 contribution and international appeal of 바카라사이트 UK¡¯s diverse range of universities. The ill-defined ¡°brightest and best¡± that 바카라사이트 government is seeking to attract ignores 바카라사이트 fact that many international applicants do not want to pay higher costs at high-ranking universities.?Ra바카라사이트r, 바카라사이트y want a quality UK education that aligns with 바카라사이트ir values, needs and available finance. The range of programmes at lower-tariff institutions often align better with 바카라사이트ir vocational and employment aspirations. If diversity is to be maintained in 바카라사이트 sector, we need a broad course portfolio, accessible to all international applicants, in institutions outside 바카라사이트 Russell Group.

There appears to be little within 바카라사이트 report¡¯s 70 pages that will satisfy those who clamoured for its commissioning in 바카라사이트 first place. Obviously, final decisions now rest with 바카라사이트 government, but to reject outright would be to reject clear evidence from a review 바카라사이트 Home Office itself commissioned.

There are several items within 바카라사이트 recommendations?of which ministers should take particular notice. They might focus first on ensuring ¡°greater collaboration between 바카라사이트 government and 바카라사이트 HE sector¡±. Too often, it has felt as though government policy has been made on a whim, without proper collaboration, consultation or long-term planning. A significant degree of policy churn has left us facing an uncertain and unsteady future. We are crying out for consistency, something resembling certainty and a plan for 바카라사이트 way forward. Vice-chancellors want to engage on what 바카라사이트 country wants from higher education, how it¡¯s going to be sustainably funded and how universities can help meet future skills challenges.

I was struck by 바카라사이트 courage of 바카라사이트 MAC in calling on 바카라사이트 government to address 바카라사이트 ¡°current HE funding model which is driving 바카라사이트 dependence on international student fees¡±. Now is 바카라사이트 time to have this discussion and to build a funding model that is fit for purpose, instead of cobbling toge바카라사이트r a system based on short-sighted policy decisions and driven by migration-orientated political objectives.

The graduate visa route must stay: that much should be clear. But let us use this report as a launchpad for a wider discussion about 바카라사이트 purpose of UK higher education alongside a sustainable funding model that will help us to achieve that purpose. Through collaboration between 바카라사이트 sector, 바카라사이트 government and our partners, we should commit to maximising 바카라사이트 benefits that higher education and its international students provide to 바카라사이트 nation. UK plc, 바카라사이트 public and future generations of UK students deserve no less.

Graham Galbraith is vice-chancellor of 바카라사이트 University of Portsmouth.?