Lord Browne tries his hand at dictatorship and wins!

On an ordinary time-wasting evening, going through the various channels of twitter, one caught my eye, about an exclusive release on Browne review by timeshigherread.

After three hours of wait, finally got to read the article of ‘Exclusive release on Browne review’, which can be read by clicking on this link. It basically releases the story about how a survey which clearly concluded that students and parents were not ready and could not afford more than £6000 of fees. Yet this concern by the ‘common man’ did not feature in the final report, neither in any debates, nor in any discussions. But is in-line with my argument since the tuition fee debacle, that raising the fee 3 times is just not acceptable and maximum raise should have been £6000. Am glad that other thought so as well, but the Browne review in it’s best dictatorship behaviour decided to dump the ‘common man’.

Well done Lord Browne. And well done the supporters of tripling of fee.

UOL Student Election – did you vote ?

University of Leicester Students Union is half way through the Union elections for next academic year’s sabbatical officers. And being the university life that it is, we have candidates from Ali G to an amateur singer, who might be a big YouTube sensation! And some in between, who have ditched crazy ideas of marketing to present themselves ‘as-is’.

Most of you would not vote, as you don’t care. But you would be the first one to get stressed when the government makes any changes to immigration system. You would not care as of now, but would be abusing a hell lot, when University raises fees tomorrow. You would not care now, but tomorrow when you have settled in you will look back and think you did not get a good experience at University. To avoid this, all you need is 3 minutes of your time.

The Union doesn’t just host club nights, but is a major part of what you see and feel on University campus. It pushes for changes which are good for you, it listens to your concerns, it creates part time jobs for students, it decides in a way where to invest student contributions to make a maximum impact on students. And to do all this well, you should vote for your Union officers. Make a difference to something, be the change you want to see. The Union will watch your back, make sure you put your trust in the right one’s.

You can vote on-line or vote in ballot boxes in the Percy Gee building. Elections end March the 4^th 2011 at 8 pm.

You can vote here with your email id and pwd – CLICK  ON  THIS  LINK

Or Vist the PERCY  GEE  BUILDING

You can read the CANDIDATE  ELECTION  MANIFESTO’s  HERE

UK Consultation on Student Immigration System

So there, I guess Students are really getting a lot of attention aren’t they! I would be happier if it was for all the right reasons, but it’s not what I want is it, it’s what this ugly world wants ! And a good news for student is more rarer than a sun tan in Glasgow at the moment. I like how the UK coalition government brandishes the word ‘fair’ and ‘progressive’ as repeatedly and faster than the British economy shrank in last quarter of 2010. But, they are fair, first they attacked the home students with sudden fee increase decisions and now international students with consultation on immigration issues.

I can understand what the coalition wants to do, simply, limit immigration, fair enough. But I don’t like the solution. Since when has stopping the international students become a serious option in showing to public, look …look…. we have reduced immigration? I am sure and can stand up to say, there are a lot of immigrants coming in, who get nothing into the British economy and are not students, but they wont be looked at when reducing the number.

It’s just fascinating, how it’s the students who have to shore up the debt produced by the banks and now reduce immigration, that they are least responsible for. But well, the coalition cannot do anything to mature can they, as they already left more people unemployed and poor in the 80’s, so now they have to suck the blood of students, fair. See, it is fair ! Oh yes.

Anyways, my Union Welfare and International Executive Welfare Executive, was kind enough of providing me with an email with few questions the government is consulting on and I could rant my anger on it. I have attached the question and answers below. The report is due in April 2011 and hopefully the government sees, the massive effect it will have on the economy.

1. No visas for students to study if not at higher level
Personally, I don’t find any issue with this. Considering International tuition fees, it is highly unlikely a student would want to repeat a course on the same level as he/she is currently enrolled onto.

2. No visa extensions in the UK for new courses
This is a ridiculous rule, being thought about. If a student has an offer letter to start a new course on a higher level, means the student has met the university academic criteria. Also, UKBA would have more control and make sure that authentic students are getting into higher academic or universities. International countries are where scams about sending students to dodgy universities arise! It is very disappointing that International students who foot travel bills of around £ 600 have to make the journey now.

3. Post Study Work (PSW) Scheme to be closed
This is the hardest hitting rule for me. When I was considering my options of studying higher education in International Universities, the only point that swung my decision from USA to the UK was the PSW visa that British Council representatives blatantly flaunt in International Countries. At the same time, I have progressed academically and done a placement working hard and diligently and now I don’t even have 6 months to plan my immediate future? Is this how the government plans to treat international students and potentially alienate billions of pounds of investment foreign students get into UK? Disappointing.

4. Limit rights to work during term time
This is clearly a joke. This basically limits my freedom? I have no idea what this government is thinking, but clearly it is on the border of trespassing my freedom to work within the law. I work on campus and am involved with student activities, which I pride in, as I like helping students. This rule will stop me from earning some basic cash for my day-to-day needs. I can’t see if part-time work was not involved, my parents would be ready to sponsor my education in the UK.

5. Remove right of dependants to come to UK unless student is on course of 12 months or more
I have no comments on this. I don’t have dependents here. Oh wait, I might add something, isn’t it sensible to allow dependents to enter for less than 12 months, as this would allow for the dependent to experience British culture and help in contributing to the economy?

6. Remove right of dependants to work in the UK
No comments.

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On a similar note, this link http://tinyurl.com/studentimmigrationsmashed was posted by the NUS president and provides some stats of how a different country applications were affected due to International Student Changes. Honestly, without being selfish, if the coalition goes ahead and takes one step wrong, that’s around 5 billion pounds wiped of the British economy. ps, the ‘studentimmigrationsmashed’ tag is added by me and not the NUS president.

Related articles

• Proposed new immigration laws could deprive colleges of overseas students they depend on (independent.co.uk)
• Student visa cuts will harm universities, ministers told (guardian.co.uk)
• Student visa cuts plan condemned (bbc.co.uk)
• Immigration MP Damian Green to crackdown on bogus students in UK (dailymail.co.uk)
• Universities condemn ‘hostile’ curbs on foreign student numbers (guardian.co.uk)