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Rules are discouraging, say students

DUBAI - UAE students said on Sunday that the new immigration rules for students may discourage many from opting to study in the UK. University and school students echoed that the new point-based system, while securing the borders of UK, may be restrictive with students preferring to apply in universities in Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

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Amina Ali Al Muhairi, an Emirati college student, said, “ It is good for the safety of the country. However, when countries like Australia are offering the same level of education, why bother obtaining points?” She added that the UK may end up losing students in the long run because of its stringent guidelines.

Habiba Ahmed, an Egyptian college student, observed that while the security measures were justified, authorities should use their discretion especially when it concerned students.

For me, to live in a culture increasingly intolerant of people of my origin is out of the question. Their tightened rules are justified. However I would like things to be more flexible, especially for students. Giving ID cards to ensure that international students are on the right side of the law is very demoralising.”

Nikhil Cooper, an Indian student who is leaving for Canada for higher studies, said that the new measures would help streamline processes and help the government keep track of the huge international student community.

“This will nevertheless give countries like Australia and Canada an edge over UK because of their flexible and easier migration policies,” he noted.

“The UK is raising the bar for itself but it is just too much of a hassle for a student applying for a visa,” noted Jordanian graduate student, Mahmoud Ghaith adding that the UK was restricting the type and quality of students it wanted, rather than giving students the option to choose.

He said that the new measures, however, would ensure transparency and help students understand the reasons behind being rejected or accepted.

• UAE