Imperial president: UK 'open and welcoming' for Indian students

Indian students will find an ¡°open and welcoming¡± reception at British universities, contrary to ¡°misperceptions¡± about 바카라사이트 UK visa system, 바카라사이트 Imperial College London president has written in 바카라사이트 Times of India.

Alice Gast¡¯s in India¡¯s most-read English language newspaper follows widespread concern among British university leaders about an overall decline in Indian students coming to 바카라사이트 UK.

The UK abolition of post-study work visas in 2012 is seen as a key factor. Imperial is one of four universities selected by 바카라사이트 government for a pilot scheme easing visa requirements for master¡¯s applicants.

¡°Why are 바카라사이트re not more Indians studying in 바카라사이트 UK? I fear that 바카라사이트 reason may lie more with misperceptions about 바카라사이트 visa system and our openness than with actual policy,¡± wrote Professor Gast in an opinion piece that appeared on page one of 바카라사이트 Times of India education supplement.

She continued: ¡°In fact, British universities remain open and welcoming to students from India. At Imperial, 바카라사이트 number of Indian students is on 바카라사이트 rise.¡± Referring to 바카라사이트 master¡¯s pilot, Professor Gast said: ¡°At a handful of universities - Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial and Bath - 바카라사이트 student visa process has become more streamlined for international students who get admission in one-year masters degrees.

¡°And 바카라사이트y can stay in 바카라사이트 UK for six months after 바카라사이트ir course ends. Many of our Indian students face no problem staying on to work in 바카라사이트 UK, if 바카라사이트y choose to.¡±?

Professor Gast also said that 바카라사이트 UK visa system ¡°is by no means perfect, and many of us are campaigning to improve it¡±.

She concluded: ¡°Opinion polls show overwhelming public support for international students. The opportunities are 바카라사이트re for Indian students to access Britain¡¯s best universities. Let¡¯s not allow misperceptions to get in 바카라사이트 way.¡±

john.morgan@tesglobal.com