Bakhtawar stands up for International Students at Parliament!
Today, the Russell Group Students’ Unions (RGSU), in collaboration with the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA), launched the RGSU International Students Report at Parliament. As part of this event, your International Students' Officer Bakhtawar was given the opportunity to speak at the event and present some of they key findings to MPs.
Sponsored by the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for International Students, the report represents the voices of almost 5,000 international students at Russell Group universities, revealing significant visa, work, and mental health challenges faced by these students, alongside the positive contributions they make to campus life and the UK economy. Additionally, insights from a series of focus groups contribute to making this one of the most well researched studies to date of international students’ experiences in the UK.
You can read the full report here!
Bak was pleased to see the report released as she presented it in Parliment today; "International students contribute billions to our economy and are important members of our campuses and communities, yet too often their worth is still viewed in narrow terms.”
“This report makes clear that while these students bring so much to the UK, they also face unnecessary hurdles. We need common-sense reforms to policies like visa rules and work limits to remove those hurdles. We’re ready to work in partnership with the Government to implement changes that ensure every international student feels truly welcome and supported.”
Bakhtawar went on to say, “In light of the Immigration White Paper published on Monday, RGSU and UKCISA are keen to work proactively with the Government to ensure that proposed changes do not negatively impact international student experiences. We look forward to engaging constructively to ensure any future immigration legislation supports the UK’s continued global competitiveness as a top study destination and addresses the concerns highlighted by students in this report.”
What's next?
With these findings for international students, student leaders including Bak, are calling for action to address the issues highlighted within the report, while amplifying what the government and universities have got right. The report makes a number of recommendations for both government and universities, from easing overly strict work restrictions and freezing visa costs, to improving mental health and pastoral support, to ensure the UK remains a welcoming and top study destination for years to come.
Remember to take a look at the report, it's a crucial step towards understanding and improving the experiences of international students in the UK. Read and share this report to help drive positive change for our international student community.
Well done Bak, great work 💪
