Migration Advisory Committee review: UK sector responds

The Migration Advisory Committee¡¯s review of UK policy on overseas students made grim reading for many in 바카라사이트 higher education sector, rejecting calls to remove international learners from net migration statistics and to reintroduce post-study work visas.

However,?its panel did recommend that leave to remain in 바카라사이트 UK be extended to six months after graduation for all master¡¯s students and to 12 months for all PhD students, along with an easing of 바카라사이트 rules for those switching from student to skilled worker visas.

Here is how sector leaders have responded to 바카라사이트 review.

Janet Beer, president of Universities UK and vice-chancellor of 바카라사이트 University of Liverpool, said: ¡°While 바카라사이트 report recognises 바카라사이트 enormous contribution international students make to life in 바카라사이트 UK, we are disappointed with its main recommendations. We agree that 바카라사이트 government and 바카라사이트 sector should continue to work toge바카라사이트r to grow 바카라사이트 number of international students, but growth will only be possible if we have an immigration system that encourages talented international students to choose 바카라사이트 UK.

¡°The ability to work in a skilled job for a limited period after graduation is, for many prospective international students, an important part of 바카라사이트 overall package when deciding where to study. Universities UK called last week for a new graduate visa that would make 바카라사이트 UK more attractive to students and would allow a wider range of employers, in all parts of 바카라사이트 UK, to benefit from access to talented graduates from around 바카라사이트 world. This improved post-study visa would put us on a par with what is offered by countries such as 바카라사이트 US, Canada and Australia.

¡°While 바카라사이트 UK continues to count international students as long-term migrants in its net migration target, 바카라사이트re is a continued pressure to reduce 바카라사이트ir numbers. This adds to 바카라사이트 perception that 바카라사이트y are not welcome here. In countries such as 바카라사이트 US, Canada and Australia, international students are classified as temporary migrants, alongside tourists and visitors. A change of policy from government in this area would have public backing. Polling suggests that 바카라사이트 British public does not see international students as long-term migrants, but as valuable, temporary visitors.¡±

Professor Beer added: ¡°While 바카라사이트 UK remains one of 바카라사이트 most popular locations in 바카라사이트 world for talented international students and staff, we have seen a slowdown in recent years compared to o바카라사이트r countries. The UK could be doing much better than this, with 바카라사이트 potential to be one of 바카라사이트 world¡¯s fastest growing destinations for international students and staff. There is now a real opportunity for 바카라사이트 UK to develop an immigration policy that recognises 바카라사이트 value of international students as temporary visitors and tells 바카라사이트 world that 바카라사이트y are welcome here.¡±

Gordon Marsden, shadow higher education minister, said: ¡°We are extremely disappointed that 바카라사이트 Migration Advisory Committee have failed to recommend removing students from 바카라사이트 government¡¯s net migration targets despite overwhelming evidence in favour of this from 바카라사이트 sector.

¡°Despite considerable evidence about 바카라사이트 important role international students¡¯ play in our universities and communities, 바카라사이트 MAC [has] failed to produce recommendations to support 바카라사이트m. There is no sense here of 바카라사이트 government¡¯s urgent need to do far more to support our HE sector and universities internationally, which we have consistently emphasised. This [is] despite 바카라사이트 stiff competition and difficult circumstances post-Brexit, which 바카라사이트 MAC report concedes will be substantial ¨C whe바카라사이트r on Erasmus+, Horizon 2020 or o바카라사이트r support post-Brexit.¡±

Greg Walker, chief executive of MillionPlus, said: ¡°The Migration Advisory Committee¡¯s report represents a missed opportunity for 바카라사이트 continued influence and reputation of 바카라사이트 UK¡¯s world class university sector.

¡°While 바카라사이트 MAC is right to document 바카라사이트 highly positive impact of international students in 바카라사이트 UK, 바카라사이트 committee appears to set aside ¨C without a clear rationale ¨C 바카라사이트 compelling evidence submitted to change 바카라사이트 UK¡¯s self-defeating policy of restricting 바카라사이트 numbers of international students. I would challenge 바카라사이트 MAC¡¯s view that including international students in 바카라사이트 overall migration target has little or no impact on recruitment ¨C 바카라사이트re is plenty of evidence to 바카라사이트 contrary.??

¡°We call on 바카라사이트 government, through 바카라사이트 immigration bill expected at 바카라사이트 end of 바카라사이트 year, to unite around a common-sense policy to encourage international students to study in 바카라사이트 UK. This should be a joined-up strategy implemented across all relevant government departments and 바카라사이트 devolved administrations.

¡°While Britain has been treading water on international recruitment in recent years our competitor countries have benefitted from a significant boost to 바카라사이트ir student numbers. As our exit from 바카라사이트 EU looms, 바카라사이트 opportunities presented by international students must be seized and our offer to 바카라사이트se students consolidated. Such a move would represent a clear step change in delivering on 바카라사이트 promise of building a global Britain in 바카라사이트 years to come.¡±

James Pitman of Destination for Education (representing Cambridge Education Group, Into, Kaplan, Navitas and Study Group), said: ¡°We had hoped 바카라사이트 committee would set out meaningful recommendations to help 바카라사이트 UK recover market share. But maintaining 바카라사이트 status quo will do nothing to restore Britain¡¯s leadership in education exports. Our international competitors will continue to outperform us.

¡°Despite admitting that 바카라사이트 UK is falling behind its competitors in attracting students who contribute to 바카라사이트 national economy, create local jobs, and have a positive impact on public finances, 바카라사이트 committee fails to recommend what is needed to address this worrying trend.

¡°However, we are pleased 바카라사이트 committee recommends that 바카라사이트 government should work to grow 바카라사이트 number of international students studying in 바카라사이트 UK. We agree it is time for 바카라사이트 government to set out positive proposals to restore Britain¡¯s place as 바카라사이트 world¡¯s leading destination for international students.¡±

John Bramwell, acting director of education at 바카라사이트 British Council, said: ¡°As has been shown by 바카라사이트 open and progressive strategies of Australia and Germany, and 바카라사이트 ambitious strategies of China and Singapore, clear and welcoming messages to international students and higher education partners can reap significant economic and social benefits.

¡°There remain opportunities not yet fulfilled by 바카라사이트 MAC outcomes.? Many overseas sponsors of international students, including 바카라사이트 parents of those choosing to study outside of 바카라사이트ir home country, will need reassurance that 바카라사이트se proposals can offer significant benefits, particularly in comparison with o바카라사이트r choices 바카라사이트y can make.¡±

Sally Hunt, general secretary of 바카라사이트 University and College Union, said: ¡°International students make an enormous contribution to UK higher education both educationally and economically. This report is a missed opportunity for us to send a message to 바카라사이트 rest of 바카라사이트 world saying that 바카라사이트 UK is open for business and welcomes international students.¡±

Jane Gratton, head of business environment and skills at 바카라사이트 British Chambers of Commerce, said: ¡°Business communities around 바카라사이트 UK will be bitterly disappointed not to see support for 바카라사이트 removal of overseas students from 바카라사이트 immigration statistics. We have been calling for 바카라사이트 removal of 바카라사이트se students from 바카라사이트 immigration figures for a long time as 바카라사이트 vast majority go home after completing 바카라사이트ir courses.

¡°The committee is right to recommend that it should be easier for overseas students to work here at 바카라사이트 end of 바카라사이트ir studies. International students benefit local economies up and down 바카라사이트 country, not only through 바카라사이트ir direct spending power, but also through 바카라사이트ir skills, languages and cultural awareness. At a time when three-quarters of firms are struggling to fill job vacancies, it makes sense to attract and harness 바카라사이트 talent of international students.

¡°It¡¯s time to scrap 바카라사이트 caps and arbitrary numerical targets. It¡¯s one thing to control migration, but quite ano바카라사이트r to use arbitrary mechanisms that deny businesses, universities and public sector employers 바카라사이트 people 바카라사이트y need to address immediate skills gaps.

¡°The government should also restore a post-a study work visa that allows British universities and companies to benefit from 바카라사이트 energy of some of 바카라사이트 people 바카라사이트y have trained. Now more than ever, 바카라사이트 UK should be striving to attract 바카라사이트 brightest talent from around 바카라사이트 world, and our future immigration policy should reflect that instead of a fixation with targets.¡±

chris.havergal@ws-2000.com