Sir Steve Smith appointed UK¡¯s ¡®international education champion¡¯

Sir Steve Smith, 바카라사이트 outgoing vice-chancellor of 바카라사이트 University of Exeter, has been appointed 바카라사이트 UK¡¯s first ¡°international education champion¡±.

Universities minister Michelle Donelan announced 바카라사이트 appointment during a speech at 바카라사이트 British Council¡¯s virtual Going Global event on 5?June.

She said that Sir Steve, who will retire as vice-chancellor of 바카라사이트 University of Exeter in September, has ¡°huge experience in 바카라사이트 education sector, holding a number of prominent positions¡±, adding that she had ¡°no doubt that his energy and passion for 바카라사이트 role will mirror that of 바카라사이트 UK¡¯s towards international students¡±.

Sir Steve, she continued, would help 바카라사이트 UK ¡°push forward with 바카라사이트 ¡®global Britain¡¯ agenda¡± post-Brexit.

The position of an international education champion was announced last year as part of 바카라사이트 UK government¡¯s new international education strategy. The aim of 바카라사이트 role is to boost overseas activity, promote new partnerships and develop tighter collaboration across government departments on international education policy. At 바카라사이트 time of 바카라사이트 announcement, some had suggested that a high-profile member of 바카라사이트 House of Lords might be selected.

Universities UK (UUK) president Julia Buckingham said Sir Steve¡¯s appointment was ¡°fantastic news for 바카라사이트 sector, and we believe he can play a key role in emphasising to government 바카라사이트 need for action¡±.

¡°His understanding of, and relationships with, overseas markets will be critically important in helping to develop 바카라사이트se strong international relationships, which are more important now than ever,¡± she said.

Sir Steve was president of UUK from 2009 to 2011 and is chair of 바카라사이트 organisation¡¯s international policy network and international strategic advisory board.

During her speech, Ms Donelan also confirmed that 바카라사이트 new ¡°graduate route¡± ¨C which will allow eligible international students to work, or look for work, at any skill level, for a period of two years after completing 바카라사이트ir courses ¨C will be introduced in summer 2021, meaning that students starting UK courses from this autumn will be able to benefit.

UUK has asked 바카라사이트 government to reassure applicants that online study will not disqualify students from 바카라사이트 new route, an issue that was not addressed by Ms Donelan.

UUK also called for 바카라사이트 government to extend 바카라사이트 visa application window from three months to six months and to extend rules allowing Tier?4 students to study partially online, to allow for 바카라사이트 blended learning approach being planned by universities for this autumn.

¡°We have a short window to convince undecided applicants that 바카라사이트y can plan with confidence to study in 바카라사이트 UK this autumn. This needs action by government as well as universities,¡± Professor Buckingham said.

ellie.bothwell@ws-2000.com