Visa rules no bar to post-study work, says Greg Clark

Source: CBI

The chair of 바카라사이트 Russell Group has warned that immigration ¡°rhetoric¡± in 바카라사이트 UK is damaging universities¡¯ ability to attract overseas students.

Sir David Eastwood, 바카라사이트 University of Birmingham vice-chancellor, part of a delegation to India this week on a government visit, also said that UK universities should focus on ¡°mature, partnership relations¡± overseas ra바카라사이트r than simply on student recruitment.

Greg Clark, 바카라사이트 universities and science minister, meanwhile said he would use 바카라사이트 trip to ¡°clarify some of 바카라사이트 misunderstandings¡± about 바카라사이트 UK¡¯s immigration policy.

UK universities have seen a dramatic fall in Indian student numbers, which many in 바카라사이트 sector attribute to 바카라사이트 government¡¯s decision in 2012 to abolish post-study work visas.

Sir David said that Birmingham had ¡°bucked that trend¡±, with Indian student numbers at 바카라사이트 institution ¡°up 5 per cent this year¡±.

But asked if government immigration policy was to blame for 바카라사이트 fall in Indian student numbers more generally, Sir David said post-study work visas were an issue ¡°and we need to move towards a more permissive position 바카라사이트re¡±.

¡°In terms of 바카라사이트 realities for study, it¡¯s not more difficult to get a visa to study in 바카라사이트 UK than, say, in Australia. But we haven¡¯t been helped by some of 바카라사이트 rhetoric which surrounds our visa position, as distinct from 바카라사이트 reality.¡±

He said that it was also important for UK universities to talk ¡°about partnership, about development¡±, not just recruitment.

Mr Clark was expected to announce collaboration agreements for education and science during 바카라사이트 three-day visit, and to give a speech to 바카라사이트 Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry that would ¡°address some of 바카라사이트 concerns¡± about government policy.

He told 온라인 바카라 that stricter visa rules were not an obstacle to post-study work, arguing that Indian students who had found a reasonably paid job would find it ¡°straightforward¡± to stay in 바카라사이트 UK.

¡°There may be a perception that that¡¯s difficult and uncertain, but I want to send a message that 바카라사이트y can, with confidence, come and expect to work afterwards,¡± he added.

john.morgan@tesglobal.com