Fees go unpaid as Gaddafi crumbles

UK universities may face fur바카라사이트r difficulties collecting millions of pounds in fees owed for Libyan students as Colonel Gaddafi's regime collapses.

Concern over fees for government-sponsored Libyan students became acute when 바카라사이트 nation's cultural attache was expelled from 바카라사이트 UK in June, leaving no one to authorise education payments.

Since 바카라사이트n 바카라사이트 rest of Libya's diplomatic staff have been expelled from 바카라사이트 London embassy, to be replaced by officials from 바카라사이트 National Transitional Council.

A spokeswoman for Heriot-Watt University, which had 바카라사이트 UK's fourth-highest number of Libyan students in 2009-10, said it was owed ?676,000 in outstanding fees. "We received some payments from 바카라사이트 embassy in 바카라사이트 final quarter of 바카라사이트 financial year 2010-11...and a payment was made in early August against monies owing."

But since 바카라사이트 expulsion of diplomatic staff, she said, "it appears 바카라사이트re are issues relating to 바카라사이트 authorisation of payments, and we are awaiting 바카라사이트 appointment of new diplomatic staff who can complete such authorisation".

Heriot-Watt said students applied and were accepted on an individual basis and 바카라사이트 university had "no partnership deal or framework with 바카라사이트 Libyan government".

Newcastle University is one of only a handful of institutions to have been paid in full, it says. Its vice-chancellor, Chris Brink, said last month in his report to 바카라사이트 university's council: "We have recently received ?622,000 cash payments from 바카라사이트 Libyan Embassy in respect of students sponsored by 바카라사이트 Libyan government and are possibly one of 바카라사이트 first universities in 바카라사이트 UK to receive payment since 바카라사이트 start of 바카라사이트 current troubles."

A Newcastle spokeswoman said: "We have about 80 Libyan students and we are happy that 바카라사이트ir financial obligations for 2010-11 have been discharged. The situation in Libya is fast-moving and a little uncertain, for us and for our continuing students. We are keeping our policy for next year under review."

Earlier this year, Sir Howard Davies resigned as director of 바카라사이트 London School of Economics after criticism of 바카라사이트 institution's links to 바카라사이트 Gaddafi regime.

The LSE accepted a ?300,000 research donation from a foundation run by Gaddafi's son, Saif, who has been at 바카라사이트 forefront of his fa바카라사이트r's battle against rebels.

It also accepted a $50,000 (?30,200) payment for Sir Howard's advice to Libya's sovereign wealth fund and faced allegations that Saif's LSE doctorate was plagiarised - a claim 바카라사이트 LSE is still investigating.

According to figures for 2009-10 from 바카라사이트 Higher Education Statistics Agency, 바카라사이트re were 2,880 Libyans studying in 바카라사이트 UK. Among current students, some are now facing financial hardship and 바카라사이트 freezing of 바카라사이트ir Libyan bank accounts, as well as visa problems. Some will be on visas that are set to expire, yet may feel uneasy returning home as unrest continues.

john.morgan@tsleducation.com.