UK government sends clear message of welcome — "International students will always be welcome"
The new British Universities Minister Bridget Phillipson MP has sent a strong and deeply personal message of reassurance and welcome to international students considering study in the United Kingdom.
Speaking to an audience of diplomats from across the globe, the Minister made clear the new Government sees international students as a welcome part of universities and the communities that host them:
“International students will always be welcome in this country,” she said. “I want to set the record straight on international students. I know there’s been some mixed messaging from governments in the past. This government will take a different approach and we will speak clearly.
“This new government values their contribution – to our universities, to our communities, to our country. I want Britain to welcome those who want to come to these shores to study, and meet the requirements to do so.
“The more we work together, the more progress we will see in the world – partners in the push for better. Closed systems that only look inward quickly run out of ideas. Creativity crumbles, innovation dies, the same thoughts spin round and round and collapse in on themselves.
“But through our international partners, we can reach out across the world and bring back a freshness of thought that breathes new life into our society. That includes our universities, and it includes international students.”
Bridget Phillipson MP also spoke warmly of her own friendships with international students when she was at university, the talent and courage of students, and the positive impact they have on their communities as students and graduates undertaking a period of post-study work.
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The Minister’s comments were warmly recommended by students themselves, universities and higher education providers.
The UK Council for International Student Affairs said it was delighted to see that the new government is already changing the rhetoric by explicitly stating that international students are welcomed and valued.
The Russell Group of leading British universities also welcomed the clear message from the government that talented students from around the world would find a warm welcome here and hoped these positive comments would draw a line under previous political rows.
Founder of the #WeAreInternational campaign and international education provider Study Group’s Executive Director of External Affairs Ruth Arnold said,
“The Minister’s speech was music to the ears to all of us who have taught and supported international students and who count them as our inspiration and our lasting friends, whether they go on to careers around the world after graduation or make a vital contribution in the UK.
“As the Minister rightly said, these people are brave. They move to a new culture, far away from their homes and their families.
They take a leap of faith, hoping to develop new skills and chase new horizons. Over the years I have seen that in practice and the way that studying in Britain has opened up so many new opportunities and possibilities for them. We should honour that endeavour, the work of families to support such students, and we do. As the minister had promised, we will do everything we can to help them succeed.”
LinkedIn Top Higher Education Voice, publisher of International Employability Insight (IEI) & founder of Asia Careers Group SDN BHD
2moAfter our earlier posts this week, Sunday Blake emphasises how important it is for #universities to think strategically how they respond to the anti-#immigration protests/unrest. As we have argued on multiple occasions, a united front by all UK universities showing how international #studentrecruitment is immigration neutral & proof that by far the majority of international students return home to successful #careers following their UK studies is needed now more than ever! We hope Universities UK are listening, now more than ever evidence & a robust dataset of Non-EU #graduateoutcomes data & is readily available! “They are taking our #jobs” sings from the same hymn sheet as “They are taking our children’s university places” – a claim we saw again & again, sometimes subtle, sometimes blatant, from middle-class columnists read absorbed by middle-class parents. The #marketing/reality contrast not good, not least because #Nigeria #Malaysia #Australia #Indonesia the #UAE, & #India have all sent out alerts advising their nationals living in or visiting the UK to stay away. This is problematic as cash strapped universities need to recruit more international students over the summer in an attempt to “balance the books!” Asia Careers Group SDN BHD
LinkedIn Top Higher Education Voice, publisher of International Employability Insight (IEI) & founder of Asia Careers Group SDN BHD
2moWith the start of the #university #academic year approaching & protests in many of the UK’s university cities, it does not bode well for cash strapped UK #universities adding to their #internationalstudent numbers over the summer & through #clearing when some of our major student source countries [#india #nigeria #Malaysia etc.] are issuing travel advisories against travel to the UK due to riots & unrest. High time to support #internationalgraduates get great jobs back home, if under pressure from their families to return & to evidence successful Non-EU #graduateoutcomes & destinations to prospective students to maximise conversion! “Subscribe to Newsletter” at the top of this post to receive the first issue. #china where “student safety” often tops parent’s lists when it comes to deciding on #study destinations for their children. No travel advisory as yet but pictures of rioting mobs will not endear the UK as a leading study destination for the #Chinese. When it comes to the UK’s largest student market the British High Commission in India has issued a travel advisory, urging #Indian citizens to exercise caution while travelling to the #UnitedKingdom in light of recent protests & violence in the country. Asia Careers Group SDN BHD
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2moAre there any limits on these types of visas?
LinkedIn Top Higher Education Voice, publisher of International Employability Insight (IEI) & founder of Asia Careers Group SDN BHD
3moThere is so much to applaud & it does spell a welcome “wind change” for UK #highereducation. It should be seen in the context of Keir Starmer’s speech earlier last week when he said “We won't be content just to pull the easy lever of importing #skills. We're turning the page on that.” [Internationalstudents] “are brave. They move to a new culture, far away from their homes and their families. They take a leap of faith, hoping to develop new skills and chase new horizons. And I am enormously proud that so many want to take that leap here in the UK. And we will do everything we can to help them succeed,” & this includes UK #internationalgraduates transitioning to successful careers back home! If Starmer’s focus in on increasing skills at home & UK #softpower overseas driving overseas inward investment into the UK, if universities are serious about driving change & playing by the rules to reduce immigration over time they must pivot to supporting our “brave” international students get great jobs back in their home countries. For universities looking to embrace this change there is still time to qualify for the early bird rate for International #Employability Insight - hit “Subscribe to newsletter.” Asia Careers Group SDN BHD