Page 10 - StudyTravel Magazine December 2016 Issue

neWS by MattHeW KnOtt
language tertiary
uK to review student visas, commits to Eu funding

THE uK IS CoNSIDERING more complex visa source said while some students legitimately fee loans if they have resided in the European
rules for international students including linking switch to other visa routes, only one per cent Economic Area for at least three years.
rights to the quality of courses despite claims breached rules and the remainder left. Pascal Carré, Director of Study Experience
that only one per cent of students breach visas, The Home Office does not recognise the www.studyexperience.be, a higher education-
but the government has committed to funding 1,500 figure and declined requests to release the focused agency in Belgium, said, “It is absolutely
eligibility for EU students in 2017. research under the Freedom of Information Act. vital for the UK Higher Education sector that
In a speech at the Conservative Party Meanwhile, Universities UK (UUK) has the government communicates clearly and
Conference, the Home Secretary, Amber Rudd, released updated public opinion research, quickly on what will happen with EU students’
announced a consultation on a potential two-tier showing that only 24 per cent of respondents funding after Brexit. This is a first step, and we
visa system. She said “a student immigration believed that international students should be welcome it as a relief for UK universities, for our
system that treats every student and university classified as migrants. The poll, conducted by future students and for ourselves as agents.”
as equal only punishes those we should want to ComRes and completed by 2,018 British adults, Looking ahead to future negotiations, Pascal
help. So our consultation will ask what more can also revealed that of those that expressed a said, “The UK has got this competitive advantage
we do to support our best universities – and those view, 75 per cent would like to see international over other English-speaking destinations and it
that stick to the rules – to attract the best talent, student numbers maintained or increased. would be a pity to lose it in the future. I believe
while looking at tougher rules for students on Nicola Dandridge, Chief Executive of UUK this will be a strong argument to use in future
lower-quality courses.” www.universitiesuk.ac.uk, said, “These findings negotiations with the EU. I hope things will
Professor Dave Phoenix, Chair of are a clear indication that any new policies aimed remain as they are so that EU universities will
MillionPlus www.millionplus.ac.uk, an at lowering net migration figures by reducing continue to welcome British students, in most
association of newer UK universities, said, “All the number of overseas students will not address cases for free or for very little money, in exchange
UK universities are quality assured and there is public concerns over immigration.” for maintaining student loans for EU students.”
no evidence that international students currently The government has announced that EU Before the Brexit vote, ST Magazine reported
being accepted on courses are poorly qualified.” students applying for the 2017/18 academic that European agents were increasingly being
The announcement preceded the leak of a year at English universities and colleges will courted by UK universities due to the lifting
Home Office report to the Times of London by be eligible for student loans and grants for the of EU recruitment caps and new postgraduate
a Whitehall source that reveals only 1,500 non- duration of their course, even if the country student loans (ST Magazine, June 2015, p.4).
EU students per year overstay their student visa. exits the EU during that period. The Scottish Several EU agents explained that access to the
The research reportedly examines exit government has made the same promise. Under student loan system was an essential aspect in
checks, which were reinstated last year. The current rules, EU students are eligible for tuition promoting UK higher education.
secondary
Irish association of guardianship providers launched

THE aSSoCIaTIoN of Guardianship Providers there were a number of individuals a maximum of 1:30; police vetting
Ireland (AGPI) www.agpi.ie has been formed and overseas agents trying to place and Child Safeguard Training of
to regulate the placement and guardianship of students in Irish schools with no set of staff; 24/7 contact; real contact
international students in Irish secondary schools. common best practices. with students at least once a month
The four founder members of the “There is currently no protection to monitor progress; and monthly
association – High Schools International for the stakeholders – students, natural student progress reports for agents and parents.
(HSI), ISI, International House Dublin and parents, schools, host families, staff and Outlining the next steps for AGPI, he
MLI International Schools – have established overseas partners. We want all stakeholders in explained, “We have agreed a range of measures
a quality framework and will be inviting this business to agree to a common set of values in terms of membership criteria, operating
membership applications early in 2017. and practices,” Declan said. He explained that procedures, inspections and accreditation.
Declan Millar, Owner of HSI www. the association has worked with the largest Our objective is to approach Irish schools over
hsinet.org, told StudyTravel Magazine that child charity in Ireland to identify the areas the next few months to solicit co-operation
the need for such an association had been of inspection. from them and to highlight the advantages, in
growing for some time. He said the regulatory Unveiled at the recent StudyTravel Alphe terms of safety particularly, of working with
framework in Ireland was beginning to catch Secondary Focus conference, the AGPI brand AGPI organisations, and to follow this up
up with similar operations in other countries, is promoting quality aspects including: with overseas partners to highlight again the
particularly in regard to child safety, and that inspections; insurance; staff/student ratios at advantages of working with AGPI.”
language associated
uED presents annual awards

TuRKISH aGENCY association UED school, summer schools and by member agencies, winning schools, and
www.ued.org.tr has rewarded its partner insurance providers. representatives from embassies and consulates.
schools in the fourth annual UED Gokhan Islamoglu, EC English Language Centres www.
Agency Awards of Turkey. UED Coordinator, said, “The ecenglish.com was successful in two categories:
The prizes were presented during awards were established in English Language School – Malta and Chain
a special ceremony at Nippon Hotel order to determine and reward Language School. For the first time, the
Taksim in Istanbul, and covered 15 the language schools who give ceremony dovetailed with a one-day agent
categories, including English, French, German, the best service to Turkish students and study workshop sponsored by the International
Spanish and Italian language schools, chain abroad agencies.” The ceremony was attended Association of Language Centres (Ialc).

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