sanddy
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5,000 Pakistani students in UK face deportation in 60 days
LONDON: The future of thousands of
Pakistani students studying in British universities and colleges is at stake as they are likely to be deported in 60 days.
More than 5,000 Pakistani students
are at risk of losing their "right to
remain" if British institutions were
stripped of their ability to educate the people from outside the European Union (EU). The British home secretary is considering a crackdown on the UK
universities and colleges, which would remove their right to sponsor visas.
London Metropolitan University Vice
Chancellor Malcolm Gillies has denied
the allegations that the university is a
"threat to immigration control" and
warned that the decision could harm
Britain's reputation abroad. But desperate student are already trying to join rival universities. Many of them have spent thousands of pounds to study in the UK and fear that they would never be able to return once they leave the country. Muhammad Saeed, 22, of London School of Finance and Accountancy has onesemester left but will be unable to complete his degree if he loses his visa. He has already cancelled a trip to Pakistan, fearing he will not be allowed to come back.
Wajid Ali, another Pakistani student,
said, "I am also on the university's
governing body if I am forced to
leave the country, the students would lose their representation. The students are all panicking as this news is causing a lot of stress in them." Professor Gillies said the decision
would leave a £30 million hole in
London Metropolitan University's
finances, nearly a fifth of its annual
budget. It will also cost the wider
London economy £75 million, he said. He warned that the future of 30,000- student university is at risk. A number of private higher colleges have already closed following crackdowns on
bogus students. He indicated that the university would fight back. "I am not going to say that we accept what is stated in the letter sent to us revoking our licence. We are currently doing a full analysis of the letter and working with best lawyers," he said.
Talking to our sources, National Union
of Pakistani Students President Hashim
Assad expressed concern over the
recent change in rules by the British
government. He said that 60-day
ultimatum to Pakistani students was not fair. The UK Border Agency (UKBA)
should ask the universities to create
spaces and accommodate legitimate
students on priority basis. Assad, a law
student at Queen Mary University of
London, said, "The UKBA has given very short time to the students. It is
very difficult to arrange all documents
to change the college and university.
This is injustice to the students who
came here rightfully." Assad demanded the Pakistani
government take action against the
agents mafia and consultants who
were misguiding the students after
getting huge amounts in shape of
consultation fee. He said that there should be a crackdown against agents
and consultants who have got
different schemes for innocent
students. The agents get their commissions but
do not scrutinise the institutions,
which are in limbo. The Pakistan High
Commission in London should
enhance the programme it runs to
address the issues faced by Pakistani students, he added. Talking to our
sources, Association of Pakistani
Lawyers Chairman Barrister Amjad
Malik said, "The enquiries are in
hundreds and I am currently dealing with around 10 cases where students suffered on account of college closure."
Colleges losing licences are refusing to
pay the students' fees and new
colleges reluctant to issue new
Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies
letter. The student community is stuck
in the system, which is already crying over spilt milk, but those who can
make choice are leaving for Canada
and Australia considering them a
better hospitable and ideal
destinations for foreign students. Malik said the changes in law should
be fair, proportionate and just. It will
be sad state of affairs if South Asians,
especially Pakistanis, are systematically
restricted. The British government has
every right to restrict those undesired element, and regulate those who
come for shorter periods so that they
return in time, but unwelcoming
message will affect economy, tourism,
and education industry. You may be
unwelcoming to one category, but the implications will be felt across, he
added. Britain's Immigration Minister Damian
Green said there had been a "serious
systematic failure" at the university. He
said it proved to be a "very, very
deficient" sponsor because more than
a quarter of students sampled were studying there when they did not
have permission to stay in the country.
LONDON: The future of thousands of
Pakistani students studying in British universities and colleges is at stake as they are likely to be deported in 60 days.
More than 5,000 Pakistani students
are at risk of losing their "right to
remain" if British institutions were
stripped of their ability to educate the people from outside the European Union (EU). The British home secretary is considering a crackdown on the UK
universities and colleges, which would remove their right to sponsor visas.
London Metropolitan University Vice
Chancellor Malcolm Gillies has denied
the allegations that the university is a
"threat to immigration control" and
warned that the decision could harm
Britain's reputation abroad. But desperate student are already trying to join rival universities. Many of them have spent thousands of pounds to study in the UK and fear that they would never be able to return once they leave the country. Muhammad Saeed, 22, of London School of Finance and Accountancy has onesemester left but will be unable to complete his degree if he loses his visa. He has already cancelled a trip to Pakistan, fearing he will not be allowed to come back.
Wajid Ali, another Pakistani student,
said, "I am also on the university's
governing body if I am forced to
leave the country, the students would lose their representation. The students are all panicking as this news is causing a lot of stress in them." Professor Gillies said the decision
would leave a £30 million hole in
London Metropolitan University's
finances, nearly a fifth of its annual
budget. It will also cost the wider
London economy £75 million, he said. He warned that the future of 30,000- student university is at risk. A number of private higher colleges have already closed following crackdowns on
bogus students. He indicated that the university would fight back. "I am not going to say that we accept what is stated in the letter sent to us revoking our licence. We are currently doing a full analysis of the letter and working with best lawyers," he said.
Talking to our sources, National Union
of Pakistani Students President Hashim
Assad expressed concern over the
recent change in rules by the British
government. He said that 60-day
ultimatum to Pakistani students was not fair. The UK Border Agency (UKBA)
should ask the universities to create
spaces and accommodate legitimate
students on priority basis. Assad, a law
student at Queen Mary University of
London, said, "The UKBA has given very short time to the students. It is
very difficult to arrange all documents
to change the college and university.
This is injustice to the students who
came here rightfully." Assad demanded the Pakistani
government take action against the
agents mafia and consultants who
were misguiding the students after
getting huge amounts in shape of
consultation fee. He said that there should be a crackdown against agents
and consultants who have got
different schemes for innocent
students. The agents get their commissions but
do not scrutinise the institutions,
which are in limbo. The Pakistan High
Commission in London should
enhance the programme it runs to
address the issues faced by Pakistani students, he added. Talking to our
sources, Association of Pakistani
Lawyers Chairman Barrister Amjad
Malik said, "The enquiries are in
hundreds and I am currently dealing with around 10 cases where students suffered on account of college closure."
Colleges losing licences are refusing to
pay the students' fees and new
colleges reluctant to issue new
Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies
letter. The student community is stuck
in the system, which is already crying over spilt milk, but those who can
make choice are leaving for Canada
and Australia considering them a
better hospitable and ideal
destinations for foreign students. Malik said the changes in law should
be fair, proportionate and just. It will
be sad state of affairs if South Asians,
especially Pakistanis, are systematically
restricted. The British government has
every right to restrict those undesired element, and regulate those who
come for shorter periods so that they
return in time, but unwelcoming
message will affect economy, tourism,
and education industry. You may be
unwelcoming to one category, but the implications will be felt across, he
added. Britain's Immigration Minister Damian
Green said there had been a "serious
systematic failure" at the university. He
said it proved to be a "very, very
deficient" sponsor because more than
a quarter of students sampled were studying there when they did not
have permission to stay in the country.
