This Wednesday at 20:00, the UK
Border Agency (UKBA) announced its decision to revoke the Highly Trusted Status
(HTS) of London Metropolitan University, thus removing the right for the University
to grant approval for student visas, and causing all current student visas approved
by the University to be invalidated.
The UKBA’s horrific decision has
far-reaching and outstanding effects, far more than one could possibly first
imagine; the displacement of current students, the delay to prospective
students, the loss of money to the University and the Higher Education sphere
as a whole, the loss of tenants, the damaging impact to the reputation of the
United Kingdom, overstaffing at the University, confusion for students… the
list goes on.
However, of course, the most
important is the damaging effect that students have faced. The most shocking part
is that even those who are currently studying at the University, of whom most,
if not all, will be legitimate hard-working students, are now no longer able to
complete their course – some may have less than three months left of their
course, and paid out thousands in order to study at this University, yet are
now being told their course is no longer an option. They must find a new course
by 1 December or return to their home country – a very unfair, and economically
harming danger.
Furthermore, there are the
students who have applied for the University, been warranted Visas, perhaps
bought their travel tickets, and have planned to travel to the University next
month, some within the timeframe of 2 weeks. These students are now being told
they must also reapply elsewhere.
The worst? It would be fairly
simple if they had more time; the fact is, UCAS applications have been
completed, clearing spaces have been open, filled and closed. There are no
longer any spaces left for students, and even if there were, it would be very
unlikely that it was a course that the students had originally studied or
intended to study. What use is that?
This decision is not a simple
one, but the Government and the UKBA thoroughly knew the impact of it, and the
unwelcome reception it would have. It is also not a decision that will be taken
lightly. The National Union of Students (NUS), Unison and the University and
College Union (UCU) have all condemned the action, planning a day of protest to
show their support and solidarity for the displaced students and I am certain
that hundreds, if not thousands, will turn out; perhaps I will be one of them.