Member Article

Developing a Future, Policies for Science and Research

Developing a Future, Policies for Science and Research

The Association of Business Schools welcomes the recent policy decision made as a result of the proposals put forward in the: Developing a Future, Policies for Science and Research document (by Dr Julian Huppert MP) at the Liberal Democrat Party conference yesterday, the proposals have now been agreed at party policy level.

The document suggests that broadly speaking:

• The Liberal Democrat Party support Tier 4 but without the undue restrictions;
• Students should not be counted as immigrants and the UN Standard should be revised to reflect this;
• Students should be encouraged to remain in the country post study;
• A clear route to work should be set to encourage scientists and researchers into the UK;
• The process for granting academic visas should be made easier; and
• Immigration systems should remain flexible to recruit skilled students from outside of the EEA.

Paul Marshall, Chief Executive, Association of Business Schools said:

“The visa and immigration issues highlighted in the recent media coverage around London Metropolitan University and the UK Borders Agency (UKBA) have understandably raised concerns within the international student community; also the impact to UK plc has been a concern.

Now is the time to reassure international students that British business schools and universities are still very much open for business and indeed keen to maintain and foster links with students from around the globe.

The UK offers word class research, learning and teaching facilities with eminent academics within its business school community, you as an international student are very much welcome to our country and our globally renowned education system.

The ABS is today holding its first fringe event (in its 20 year history) at the Liberal Democrat Party Conference further details can be found *here*.

Notes to Editors

• In 2008/09 students from over 200 different countries came to the UK to study business and management from Azerbaijan to Zambia, with students from China, India, Nigeria, Germany and France the most numerous. There are also over 1,000 students from the USA studying business and management here. UK business schools and departments of management are clearly providing an education that is attractive and relevant to students from across the globe.

It is unfortunate that university students have become entangled in the way immigration has become a subject of debate in the UK. Immigration is a vital electoral issue, all these issues are being discussed at high level within the UK Government – but in the meantime students from all around the world should not be put off by coming to the UK to study, we would encourage students to keep the UK at the top of their list of chosen study destinations.

ABS as an organisation has been involved in lobbying government on behalf of our members (over 110 UK business schools) and discussing these issues with our stakeholders, we will be raising our concerns and recommendations via a publication soon to be launched at the party conferences, the document: Business Schools Seizing the Future will shortly be available from our website.

• The relevant paragraphs from the document are 49-56. Developing a Future, Policies for Science and Research.

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This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Association of Business Schools .