Sir, The Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Bill, which has its second reading on Tuesday, July 5, proposes abolishing the right of appeal for international students who are refused visas.

As a matter of principle this is wholly unjust. As a matter of practice it is unfair, as the refusal is based on a subjective view that has often then been overturned. As a matter of policy it is illogical for one part of the Government to be encouraging overseas students and graduates to study in the United Kingdom, contribute to the diversity of the student experience, underpin our research effort and contribute substantially to the finances of our universities, while another part sends signals that we do not value these students through substantial increases in visa fees, and now through trying to remove a right of appeal.

The Government purports to be concerned about strategically important science, engineering and technology (SET) subjects. In engineering some 50 per cent of postgraduate research students come from overseas. Across all SET subjects 23 per cent of PhD students are international. Their presence underpins the viability of many departments. Their research and their subsequent work in a range of organisations contribute enormously to the international competitiveness of the United Kingdom.

We need consistent policies from the Government based on a recognition of the importance of overseas students and a desire to treat them fairly and justly. We urge the Government to reconsider.

RICHARD GREENHALGH
BROERS
(President, The Royal Academy of Engineering)
GEOFFREY COPLAND
(Trustee, CIHE)
ROB MARGETTS
(Trustee, CIHE)
TOM McKILLOP
(Trustee, CIHE)
PETER WILLIAMS
(Chairman, The Engineering Technology Board)
Bloomsbury, London

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