Scottish Government
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Scotland’s colleges back return of post study work visa
National Indian Students Union UK backs up calls for visa return.
All of Scotland’s colleges have backed the Scottish Government’s call for the return of a post study work visa for Scotland.
A statement of support for reintroducing a post study work visa to Scotland has now gathered 160 signatures, including all 25 of Scotland’s publically funded colleges, the sector body Colleges Scotland, Universities Scotland , the representative body for Scotland’s 19 Higher Education Institutions and representatives from across industry.
The news comes as representatives of all major political parties in Scotland meet for the first time to work on reintroducing the post study work route to Scotland. Liz Smith (Conservative), John Finnie (Independent), Claire Baker (Labour), andLiam McArthur (Liberal Democrats) met Minister for Europe and International Development Humza Yousaf ahead of a formal meeting of the Cross Party Steering Group later this summer.
The National Indian Students Union (UK) have also backed Mr Yousaf’s call for a reintroduction of the visa.
Mr Yousaf said:
“Signatories from all of Scotland’s colleges have now backed our statement of support for the reintroduction of a post study work visa to Scotland.
“We have overwhelming support for this issue in Scotland, across all major political parties, industry and now throughout academia.
“Scotland’s needs are different to those in the rest of the UK. Scotland has a large, established migrant community and the Scottish Government welcomes the contribution new Scots are making to our economy and society.
“A post study work visa is an important lever for attracting the best international student talent, securing essential income streams, and allowing talented graduates to continue contributing to Scotland after their studies end.
“Once again, I am calling on the UK Government to take Scotland’s needs into account and deliver on the Smith Commission recommendation in this area.”
Shona Struthers, Chief Executive, Colleges Scotland said:
“The abolition of post-study work visas by the UK government in 2012 has been an issue of concern for Scotland’s colleges. These visas allowed graduates to work or set up businesses in the UK for 24 months, which retained skilled and educated graduates as part of the labour force.
“The re-introduction of a post-study work visas would attract more overseas students thus enhancing the college experience for all while retaining skilled graduates who contribute to our economy.
“We are pleased to see that the Scottish Government is focused on addressing this issue and has the full support of Scotland’s colleges.”
Alastair Sim, Director Universities Scotland, said:
“There is a compelling case to allow international students to work in Scotland after successfully completing their studies. The country would gain socially, culturally and economically by being able to retain international talent. Our universities would have a more competitive offer with which to attract students in a global marketplace. It would give international students the chance to start their careers and gain valuable work experience in a country they have made their home away from home.
"We urge the UK and Scottish Governments to work together, as recommended by the Smith Commission's final report, to implement a change in policy.”
Sanam Arora, President of the National Indian Students Union (UK)said:
“The National Indian Students Union UK fully supports the reintroduction of a Post Study Work Scheme and is thankful to the Scottish Government for their efforts in re-establishing the scheme.
“Changes to immigration rules since 2012 have led to a significant drop in the number of Indian students coming to the UK, a worrying trend given the advantages international students bring to the UK, both economically and otherwise. In the decision process of choosing a country to study in, the choice of post study work opportunities is a key factor, not because students want to settle abroad, but because of the desire and need to gain relevant work experience.
“We urge the UK government to recognise work experience post education as part of the overall Higher Education package and revive the Post Study Work visa.”
Notes To Editors
Signatories supported the statement:
I/We the undersigned agree with the principle of a post-study work visa for Scotland, in order to allow talented international graduates from Scottish institutions to make welcome contributions to our education institutions, businesses, economy, demography and communities. I/We call on the UK Government to fully engage with the Scottish Government on the reintroduction of the post-study work route in Scotland.
A full list of the 160 signatories is below:
|
Individual's name |
Name of Organisation |
|
Ralph Leishman |
4-consulting |
|
Clare Frances Moran |
Abertay University |
|
Craig Vickery |
ACCA |
|
Joyce Duncan |
ACVO TSI |
|
John Peebles |
Administrate |
|
Fraser Durie |
Argyll College UHI |
|
Andy Doig |
Arthurstone Management Limited |
|
Bill Whibley |
Aventa Systems Limited |
|
Heather Dunk |
Ayrshire College |
|
Anthony Gerrard |
Bad Idea Organisation C.I.C |
|
Tony Banks |
Balhousie Care Group |
|
Colin Quinn |
Be Positive |
|
Peter Smith |
Borders College |
|
Gordon Kaye |
Cathcart Associates |
|
Ken Hay |
Centre for the Moving Image |
|
Frances A Buchanan* |
CGI UK |
|
James Brodie |
China-Britain Business Council |
|
Roy Gardner |
City of Glasgow College |
|
Jamie Carson |
CMS Broadband |
|
Jamie Coleman |
CodeBase |
|
Karon Davis |
Codeplay Software Ltd |
|
Shona Struthers |
Colleges Scotland |
|
Frances Christensen |
Confucius Institute for Scotland |
|
Donald Sannella |
Contemplate Ltd |
|
Lorraine Cook |
COSLA |
|
Ben Twist |
Creative Carbon Scotland |
|
Paul Wilson |
Cultivate Software Ltd |
|
Nick Russel |
Denchi Power |
|
Barbara Robertson |
Diamonds Human Resources Consultancy |
|
Carol Turnbull |
Dumfries and Galloway College |
|
Christina Potter |
Dundee and Angus College |
|
Asha Ginda |
ECCI, University of Edinburgh |
|
Annette Bruton |
Edinburgh College |
|
Professor Andrea Nolan |
Edinburgh Napier University |
|
Gerry O'Donnell |
Edrington |
|
Barrie Shepherd |
Energy Technology Partnership |
|
Leigh-Ann Donoghue |
e-Placement Scotland |
|
Andrew Ogilvie |
Extraordinary Managed Services Limited |
|
Angus MacCuish |
F G Burnett |
|
Eric Byiers |
Fife Chamber of Commerce |
|
Hugh Logan |
Fife College |
|
Colin Hewitt |
Float |
|
Dr Ken Thomson |
Forth Valley College |
|
Andrew Spratt |
FPSG Connect Ltd |
|
Professor Pamela Gillies |
Glasgow Caledonian University |
|
Duncan McDougall |
Glasgow Clyde College |
|
James Gow |
Glasgow Kelvin College |
|
Professor Alison Phipps |
Glasgow Refugee Asylum and Migration Network, University of Glasgow |
|
Sarah Craig |
Glasgow Refugee Asylum and Migration Network, University of Glasgow |
|
Professor Rebecca Kay |
Glasgow Refugee Asylum and Migration Network, University of Glasgow |
|
Andrew Lennox |
Global Connections ( Scotland ) Ltd |
|
Alastair Kennedy |
Global Energy Group |
|
Gary Henderson |
Grampian Fasteners |
|
Conor MacGuire |
Green Energy Scotland Limited |
|
Julie Kirk |
GreenPower Developments Ltd |
|
Ruth Moir |
Heriot Watt University |
|
Marcus Kneen |
IndigoVision |
|
Sophy Green |
Instant Neighbour |
|
David C Watt |
Institute of Directors (Scotland) |
|
Helen Willis |
Integrated Environmental Solutions Ltd |
|
Diane Rawlinson |
Inverness College UHI |
|
Jon Cape |
iPower Energy Ltd |
|
Gavin Dutch |
Kotikan |
|
Andrew Williams |
Kotikan |
|
Iain Macmillan |
Lews Castle College UHI |
|
David Philip |
Maclay Murray & Spens |
|
Colin Munro |
Miconex |
|
Nazek Ramadan |
Migrant Voice |
|
Anne Lindsay |
Moray College UHI |
|
Hisashi Kuboyama |
|
|
Michael McGhee |
Neo Environmental Ltd |
|
Hazel Scott |
New College Lanarkshire |
|
Ann Southwood |
Newbattle Abbey College |
|
Kirsty Peebles |
newsdirect (uk) ltd |
|
Rob Wallen |
North East Scotland College |
|
Donald MacBeath |
North Highland College UHI |
|
Vonnie Sandlan |
NUS Scotland |
|
Christine Currie |
OPITO |
|
Dr William Ross |
Orkney College UHI |
|
Andrew Fisher |
Oscars International |
|
Gameli Tordzro |
Pan African Arts scotland |
|
Hithendra Cheetirala |
Perth College UHI |
|
Mohammed Afzal |
PKAVS |
|
Alison Best |
Prospect Scotland Ltd |
|
Petra Wend |
Queen Margaret University |
|
Fiona O'May |
Queen Margaret University |
|
Oonagh O'Brien |
Queen Margaret University |
|
Micheal Matovu |
Radiant and Brighter Community Interest Company |
|
Ali Khajeh-Hosseini |
RightScale |
|
Professor John Harper |
Robert Gordon University |
|
Kenneth Ross |
Ross Developments & Renewables Ltd |
|
Professor Jeffrey Sharkey |
Royal Conservatoire of Scotland |
|
Bill Duguid |
Ryden LLP |
|
Professor Boyd Robertson |
Sabhal Mòr Ostaig |
|
Ashleigh McLennan |
SCDI |
|
Professor Stephen Linton |
School of Computer Science, University of St Andrews |
|
Polly Purvis |
ScotlandIS |
|
Alan Thornburrow |
Scottish Investment Operations |
|
Ima Jackson |
Scottish Migrant Network |
|
David Robb |
SgurrControl Limited |
|
Irene Peterson |
Shetland College UHI |
|
Pauline Graham |
Social Firms Scotland |
|
Daniel Winterstein |
SoDash |
|
Stewart McKillop |
South Lanarkshire College |
|
Jamie Spurway |
Spurway Training |
|
Janet Swadling |
SRUC |
|
Lisa Dow |
St. Andrews University |
|
Brian Corcoran |
Stipso |
|
Amanda Robertson* |
Stoneridge |
|
Davis Fraser |
Strathspey Railway Company Ltd |
|
Andrew Hall |
Sumdog Ltd |
|
Gary Telfer |
Ten Live Ltd. |
|
Tom Inns |
The Glasgow School of Art |
|
Robert Swinfen |
The Iona Community |
|
Ken McNab |
The Travel Company Edinburgh |
|
Peter Docherty |
ThinkAnalytics |
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