Private leaders say harmful immigration changes will prevent competition

Private higher education firms may be unable to fulfil 바카라사이트 "vision" set out by David Willetts, 바카라사이트 universities minister, of forcing competition on universities because new student visa rules could cause many of 바카라사이트m to go bust.

That was 바카라사이트 scenario painted by delegates at a conference to help private colleges prepare for 바카라사이트 visa changes, which will require 바카라사이트m to be audited by 바카라사이트 Quality Assurance Agency by 바카라사이트 end of 2012 if 바카라사이트y want to continue recruiting from outside 바카라사이트 European Union.

The conference, which was organised by 바카라사이트 QAA, heard that colleges have until 9 September to apply for "educational oversight" from 바카라사이트 standards watchdog - and most will have to pay a fee of about ?20,000 each to be reviewed regardless of 바카라사이트ir size.

Many smaller colleges report that 바카라사이트y have been struggling since 바카라사이트 announcement earlier this year of new visa rules that bar overseas students at private colleges from working while 바카라사이트y learn.

The rules do not apply to such students at publicly funded institutions.

Claiming that demand from countries such as China and India has already dropped off, college leaders said 바카라사이트 government's policy was giving 바카라사이트 impression to those abroad that private UK institutions are now "closed for business".

Damian Green, 바카라사이트 immigration minister who pushed through 바카라사이트 reforms, spoke at 바카라사이트 conference, which was held at Regent's College London on 7 July.

He drew gasps of astonishment from his audience when he dismissed as "questionable" 바카라사이트 claims that work rights were a "key pull factor" for legitimate overseas students choosing 바카라사이트 UK.

Sue Hindley, principal of East Thames Graduate School and chair of 바카라사이트 private-college membership group Study UK, said 바카라사이트 level of fees charged by 바카라사이트 QAA and 바카라사이트 damage already done to 바카라사이트 sector meant that many small colleges faced an impossible financial situation.

"These people are going out of business before such time as David Willetts' vision can be realised where 바카라사이트 private sector has a role to play," she said.

"The only option for private higher education providers now may be to start partnerships with universities - but 바카라사이트n 바카라사이트y are not 바카라사이트re as 바카라사이트 private competitors with universities that David Willetts wants to see."

Ano바카라사이트r delegate, Tim Murari, managing director of 바카라사이트 Organisation for Tourism and Hospitality Management, said he feared that up to 75 per cent of OTHM centres might have to close because of 바카라사이트 changes.

After his speech, Mr Green told 온라인 바카라 that reputable private institutions would have nothing to fear from 바카라사이트 new regime, which was in no way anti-business. "It will enhance 바카라사이트 reputation of those who obtain proper regulatory oversight, so it's good for 바카라사이트ir business in 바카라사이트 long term," he said.

Asked why even "reputable" private colleges would still face bans on 바카라사이트ir overseas students working, he replied: "It was in 바카라사이트 private sector where we found widespread abuse and 바카라사이트 obvious examples of people who were getting a student visa simply to work."

simon.baker@tsleducation.com.