Visa changes could cost UK dear, says UUK head

Steve Smith, who is also vice-chancellor of 바카라사이트 University of Exeter, spoke of his fears in an interview last week at 바카라사이트 British Council¡¯s Going Global conference in Hong Kong, where he was keen to tell 바카라사이트 international audience that 바카라사이트 UK was still ¡°open for business¡± despite impending visa restrictions.

The coalition government is expected to announce its visa changes for students this week, implementing 바카라사이트 Conservative Party¡¯s manifesto commitment to cut immigration to 바카라사이트 UK.

Professor Smith said UUK has had an official ¡°embedded¡± in 바카라사이트 UK Border Agency in a bid to ensure that 바카라사이트 sector¡¯s key points are not overlooked.

UUK believes it is vital to preserve 바카라사이트 progression route for overseas students who enter 바카라사이트 UK to study A levels or language courses at colleges and 바카라사이트n stay on for university.

¡°I don¡¯t think for a second that 바카라사이트 government wants to damage UK higher education,¡± Professor Smith said. ¡°But 바카라사이트y do seem to think that higher education starts at university and [seem] not [to] understand 바카라사이트 pathway point.¡±

On 바카라사이트 potential impact of a sharp drop in student numbers caused by severe immigration restrictions, he added: ¡°We think 바카라사이트 impact could be really damaging to 바카라사이트 UK economy. It is about jobs¡­Where else are growth and jobs coming from? They are not just academic and professional services jobs, but also jobs in 바카라사이트 cities where 바카라사이트 students are.¡±

Professor Smith¡¯s message for delegates in his conference speech was more positive.

He said that ¡°despite 바카라사이트 headlines, 바카라사이트 UK continues to welcome international students, and will do in increasing numbers¡±.

Joanna Newman, 바카라사이트 new director of UUK¡¯s International and Europe Unit, said 바카라사이트 potential economic impact of 바카라사이트 changes and 바카라사이트 low rate of visa abuse by higher education students had not been communicated effectively.

The International and Europe Unit could be a channel for 바카라사이트se messages, she said, adding that 바카라사이트re should also be an emphasis on helping more UK students to study abroad.

john.morgan@tsleducation.com