UK varsity stripped of visa licence, 360 Indians at risk
Britain’s Border Agency has revoked London Metro-politan University’s right to grant study visas to foreign students over “serious deficiencies”. This affe-cts the fate of over 2,000 non-European Union students at the university, who have 60 days to find a new course or face deportation.
Some 360 Indian students studying at the university are hit by the UK Border Agency’s decision to strip it of “highly-trusted status” for sponsoring international students.
“The implications are hugely significant and far-reaching,” said its vice-chancellor Malcolm Gillies, adding that the university will meet all its obligations to both current and prospective students.
The university has set up a helpline +44 (0)20 7133 4141 to support and advise students.
The Border Agency said Thursday it revoked the licence after the university failed to address “serious and systemic failings” identified six months ago. The licence had been suspended on July 16. “We have been working with them since then, but the latest audit revealed problems with 61 per cent of files randomly sampled. Allowing London Met to continue to sponsor and teach international students was not an option,” a Border Agency spokesperson said.
Immigration minister Damien Green said a task force led by Sir Alan Langlands was set up comprising the UK government, Universities UK, Higher Education Funding Council and the NUS to help those affected find another course at a different university. “I am not chucking anyone out,” Mr Green said. “What I am doing is enforcing the rules.”
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