Kent's Dean for Internationalisation Dr Anthony Manning has responded to Universities UK's (UUK) call on the government to support a package of proposals to improve opportunities for international students graduating from a UK university to remain in the UK to work for up to two years.
Such a package will ensure that international students will further boost economic growth and skills, and support the UK in building links with countries across the world.
Dr Manning said: ‘The government’s realisation of the proposals put forward by UUK, including broadening of access to post study work visas, would help the UK to continue to attract the brightest and best international students.
‘Many international students who are attracted to study overseas stem from cultures where employability experience is an embedded dimension of Higher Education; however, due to visa restrictions, opportunities for post-study work in the UK are currently very limited for international graduates, compared to those available in other countries who are competing to enrol the same talented students.
‘The benefits of international students to our local businesses are clear, given that more than £25.8 billion is contributed annually to the UK economy through on and off campus spending from international students and their visitors. Modifying the terms of Tier 2 visa system and giving SMEs and other business wider access to our international graduates’ skills would help to extend our international competitive advantage through the availability of a wider diversity of advanced global talent in the UK.
‘Furthermore, maintaining strong international relations is also essential at this critical stage in the UK’s process of navigating Brexit and the redefinition of our nation’s broader worldwide connections and global ambitions.’