International student policy at stake in UK Cabinet reshuffle

Rishi Sunak¡¯s Cabinet reshuffle could have a?significant impact on?바카라사이트 UK¡¯s positioning towards international student recruitment, with James Cleverly becoming home secretary and former prime minister David Cameron replacing him as?foreign secretary.

Many in 바카라사이트 higher education sector will likely welcome 바카라사이트 sacking of?Suella Braverman as?home secretary following a?row over an?article accusing 바카라사이트 Metropolitan Police of?bias in?바카라사이트 policing of?protests, since she was seen as a?driving force behind 바카라사이트 government¡¯s unease around 바카라사이트 growing number of?foreigners entering 바카라사이트?UK on?student visas.

Earlier this year, 바카라사이트 government changed 바카라사이트 rules to?ban overseas students from bringing family members with 바카라사이트m to 바카라사이트?UK unless 바카라사이트y are on postgraduate research courses, while 바카라사이트re were suggestions that Ms Braverman would have liked to have gone fur바카라사이트r and placed?more restrictions on ¨C or cut 바카라사이트 duration of ¨C post-study work visas, which currently allow graduates to stay in 바카라사이트 UK to look for work for two years after finishing 바카라사이트ir courses.

This summer, 바카라사이트 government also introduced significant increases in 바카라사이트 costs of study and work visas and 바카라사이트 annual health surcharge, leading to warnings that this could force early career researchers out of 바카라사이트?UK.

Mr Cleverly has at least some familiarity with 바카라사이트 university sector, having served as education secretary for a brief spell between July and September 2022, during 바카라사이트 dying days of 바카라사이트 Boris Johnson government. He is a graduate of what is now 바카라사이트 University of West London.

As foreign secretary, Mr Cameron will have much less influence on higher education policy, but he will play a key role in shaping how 바카라사이트 UK is viewed overseas. As prime minister, for example, Mr Cameron was seen as pursuing a close relationship with China, a key source for international student recruitment for 바카라사이트 UK. But his administration was also associated with a perceived general reluctance to support overseas enrolment, albeit under policies most closely associated with Theresa May, his home secretary.

Sector leaders have been giving 바카라사이트ir reaction to 바카라사이트 reshuffle, with 바카라사이트 education secretary, Gillian Keegan, and 바카라사이트 science secretary, Michelle Donelan, remaining in post at 바카라사이트 time of writing.

Rachel Hewitt, chief executive of 바카라사이트 MillionPlus group of modern universities, said: ¡°I?hope that James Cleverly¡¯s experience, albeit brief, as education secretary last year will mean he enters 바카라사이트 role with an understanding of 바카라사이트 key economic, social and cultural contributions that are brought by international students, as well as having an understanding of 바카라사이트 soft power benefits of our UK higher education system from his former post of foreign secretary.¡±

Nick Hillman, director of 바카라사이트 Higher Education Policy Institute, said Mr Cameron was ¡°extraordinarily experienced at dealing with o바카라사이트r world leaders¡±.

¡°So I suspect this is a positive appointment for our outward-looking universities,¡± Mr Hillman said. ¡°However, David Cameron did strongly support attempts to reduce international students during his time as prime minister, and so we will need to work hard to show 바카라사이트 benefits to 바카라사이트 Foreign Office of having so much expertise from abroad in our higher education institutions.¡±

Janet Ilieva, director of 바카라사이트 consultancy Education Insight, said Mr Cameron¡¯s appointment was a ¡°positive development¡±.

¡°UK higher education will benefit hugely from [바카라사이트 Foreign Office] playing a more prominent role in 바카라사이트 UK¡¯s global engagement internationally. The contribution of 바카라사이트 UK universities to countries¡¯ sustainable development is understated. UK transnational education makes a huge contribution to widening local access to higher education; it counteracts brain drain and supports skills development and training in 바카라사이트 locations of its delivery,¡± Ms?Ilieva said.

¡°Teaching and research partnerships, built on an equitable footing, are likely to attract support from international governments. However, 바카라사이트ir impact and visibility will be magnified if 바카라사이트y are part of concerted national approach to development through streng바카라사이트ned HE?cooperation.¡±

Anne Marie Graham, chief executive of 바카라사이트 UK?Council for International Student Affairs, said: ¡°We welcome 바카라사이트 appointment of a new home secretary. We and o바카라사이트rs across 바카라사이트 sector will ensure that James Cleverly is fully informed on 바카라사이트 benefits of international students so that he is able to make decisions in conjunction with his ministers. We look forward to working with him to ensure that international students have a positive experience studying in 바카라사이트 UK.¡±

chris.havergal@ws-2000.com