International students: A letter to UK Government ---------Mahbub Toha International students coming to the United Kingdom to experience world-class education and training is a long-term trend. However changes to immigration regulations have severely impacted this exchange – the number of International students coming to the UK has plummeted by 25% as they feel a sense of hostility in the UK given the restrictions and treatment. Education export forms a significant part of the bilateral relationship and this fall in International applicants is likely to negatively affect UK educational and trade ties in the future. As the spills over effects of these changes are important to both sides, it is necessary for both the countries to address this issue. As the national body representing Asian origin youth in the UK, wants to ensure that the UK Higher Education sector can continue to flourish with a good intake of international students; that international students are able to come to the UK and study here - without having to worry about choosing between the UK and other competing nations and without the concern of work experience opportunities; and that finally when students return to their country - they are able to make a positive difference in contributing to society by using their world class education and training. International students wants to ensure the relationship goes from strength to strength and the historic educational ties are not negatively impacted. The removal of the Post-study work visa has been a matter of grave concern for international students and has severely discouraged them to apply to the UK universities due to the lack of opportunities for practical experience after university degree. A study conducted by the London School of Economics interviewed 1,336 international students from a variety of non-EU/EEA countries. Their results revealed: Of all the nationalities, international students felt the most aggrieved with 68% strongly agreeing with the statement that foreign learners would be less likely to come to the UK to study in the light of immigration reforms. International students, including Bangladeshi students are being distracted from their degree studies by the need to acquire work experience during their studies in order to secure sponsored employment. Students told the LSE that they were doing internships or applying for jobs while they were learning in a bid to secure a job at the appropriate skill and salary level within four months of graduation - as required under the new rules. A student described the experience as ‘pushing myself beyond my limit’ by doing an internship alongside their studies in order to persuade an employer to sponsor their visa. The desperation felt by these students is due to their need to make the cost of their degrees worthwhile by acquiring the relevant work experience after their studies. This is only added to by the rising aggregate cost of living and studying in the UK. Due to the abolition of the PSW, these students are placed at a disadvantage as compared to their European and/or British peers in terms of their career but also their academics and personal life. I urge the UK government to recognize that most international students do not wish to settle abroad permanently and appreciate that in today’s globalized world, they need to supplement their UK education with practical work experience. International students are suffering from a new vicious cycle whereby they are denied equal opportunities to find work experience to complement their degrees in the UK while also losing out on building their network in the home job market by missing on-campus recruitment opportunities in their country. These students are of significant benefit to the UK, both economically and otherwise. They contribute positively to the UK economy and go back as Friends of the UK promoting trade ties of the future. These students are an essential bridge to the UK-International strategic relationship of the future. For the third world countries including Bangladesh this Brain Drain is a long-term issue as many of its best and brightest seek education and employment opportunities abroad. Bangladesh’s vision is of supplying world-class skilled labour to the world in the future but in order to be able to do so Bangladesh must train its unemployed youth. British trained and educated Bangladeshi professionals can be of fundamental importance in bridging this gap. They understand both Western and Bangladeshi systems and it must be capitalized on in order to propel forward its vision for the future. In this regard it can be urged the British and other governments to collaborate on devising an appropriate immigration category that allows all considerations to be met – all nations’ as well as the students’. The following is recommended: The UK government should create a specific 2-year employment and internship scheme for international students which is conditional on their return to their country. After completing their education, students are able to apply for this visa with commitment to return back to their country after 2 years. Students will not be permitted to switch over to any other visa category. The government should incentivize these returning professionals into Public Sector jobs to have the most effective impact within the Government as well as on the wider community The subjects eligible for this scheme should be carefully chosen and must comply with the requirements of both countries’ shortage subject lists. Benefits for UK: UK universities will benefit from international fees, taxation/NI contribution from post study work & will be able to fill up skill shortages in UK. UK will once again become an attractive place to study as it has slipped significantly behind USA, Australia & Canada. UK Universities will continue to attract international talent which will encourage entrepreneurship, research and innovation in British classrooms. A multinational workforce which will raise UK university profiles in their home countries. Benefits for student’s country: Returning students will share their international experiences and contribute to their country’s vision of development as an international labor resource pool. UK educated and experienced students will be able to apply scientific, technical and entrepreneurial skills to develop skilled resources in their country which can then be used locally and internationally Stronger ties with UK and increased opportunities for International businesses to invest in UK. Finally I urge the British and all other governments especially Asian to collaborate on this issue, in order to end the negative impacts of the PSW removal and other immigration changes on the UK-International Educational Partnership. Mahbub Toha tohalaw@gmail
Posted on: Wed, 26 Nov 2014 01:39:19 +0000
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