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Peter Black and South Wales West Liberal DemocratsRepresenting Aberavon, Bridgend, Gower, Neath, Ogmore, Port Talbot, and Swansea |
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Threat of higher visa charges is bad news for Welsh higher education says Assembly Member
January 25, 2007 9:31 AM
The Welsh Liberal Democrat Education spokesperson, Peter Black, has expressed his concern at the suggestion that the Labour Westminster Government is again going to hike visa charges for international students, despite having increased them by 150% and visa extension charges by 100% just two years ago.
"Many Welsh higher education institutions rely upon the income they get from international student fees to make ends meet and to have a little money of their own to invest in new initiatives," said Mr. Black. "The threat of higher visa charges is bad news for Welsh higher education."
"Simply ratcheting up the governments 'take' from international students will just cause a further decline in the numbers who are interested in coming to Wales to study. Australia and the USA have already signalled their intention to compete aggressively for international students because they recognise the huge benefit that having overseas students brings - not just in money, but in fresh thinking and ideas."
"It is a fact that when these students return home upon graduation they influence others for or against coming to Wales and the UK in their turn. Moreover, as many rise to positions of influence, there is a spin-off in exports too. The Education Minister must contact her colleagues in London over this threat, and ensure that the Home Office stops this nonsense now."
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