UCU response to new immigration rules for international students

30 July 2008

Responding to new immigration rules for foreign students, UCU today welcomed plans to clamp down on bogus higher education institutions, but warned that new rules on monitoring students risk forcing academic staff to police their students and thereby damage their professional relationship with students.

UCU general secretary, Sally Hunt, said: 'Our proud international reputation must never be put at risk from bogus institutions offering worthless qualifications and we welcome the tougher regulations in this area.

'However we have grave concerns that new rules on monitoring foreign students have been pulled together without any consultation with the people who will be tasked with their implementation. We do not believe it is appropriate or effective to task colleges and universities with the policing of immigration. Furthermore, we are unconvinced that the proposals will do anything but harm the important relationship between staff and students.

'Educational institutions should not be responsible for immigration control and we will be writing to the Home Office to warn of our concerns and seek confirmation that staff will not be burdened with such responsibilities.'

• Full UCU response to points-based immigration system

• Full details of the Home Office proposal

• Dan Ashley
  press@ucu.org.uk|
  Tel:020 7756 2600
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