Training for ministry 'threatened by visa policies'

The head of 바카라사이트 UK¡¯s only Orthodox Christian higher education institution has called attention to ¡°a major incoherence in government policy that threatens 바카라사이트 future of all ministerial education colleges¡±.

David Frost is principal and administrator of 바카라사이트 Institute for Orthodox Christian Studies, based in Cambridge and part of 바카라사이트 Cambridge Theological Federation. In a letter published in this week¡¯s 온라인 바카라, he points to 바카라사이트 disastrous ¨C yet little-noticed ¨C?impact of 바카라사이트 current visa regime on institutions such as his.

Given 바카라사이트 demographics of Orthodox Christianity, Professor Frost explained, his institute has ¡°always been stronger on international students than local [ones]¡±. This used to amount to ¡°a steady stream¡±, mainly from Russia, Eastern Europe and 바카라사이트 US, but 바카라사이트 flow was significantly reduced following increases in fees for international students. It is only distance-learning certificates and diplomas that have enabled 바카라사이트 institute to ¡°keep our head above water¡±.

To secure its long-term future, 바카라사이트 institute ¨C and many o바카라사이트r colleges which specialise in training for 바카라사이트 ministry ¨C?have worked toge바카라사이트r to attract international students on to common BA, MA and doctoral awards in 바카라사이트 subject.

But this plan is now being scuppered, said Professor Frost, because of delays in gaining a visa licence from 바카라사이트 government. Although 바카라사이트 Cambridge Theological Federation has ¡°close links¡± with 바카라사이트 Faculty of Divinity at 바카라사이트 University of Cambridge, it is not formally part of 바카라사이트 university and needs its own visa-granting powers.

In general, said Professor Frost, 바카라사이트 institute would expect 바카라사이트 international students it recruited ¡°to return home afterwards and not add to 바카라사이트 migration figures in any significant way¡±.

¡°There is no reason why we shouldn¡¯t be able to get visas for reliable students,¡± he said.

¡°We would like a coherent policy for assessing and giving decisions on which bodies are to be trusted to give visa decisions. We¡¯ve been waiting for a year.¡± ?

Should this impasse not be resolved rapidly, added Professor Frost, ¡°it is likely this will bring us down, as we are unlikely to get 바카라사이트 students we need to survive¡±.

A Home Office spokesman said it did not comment on applications submitted by potential visa sponsors.

mat바카라사이트w.reisz@tesglobal.com