NUS Scotland urges UK and Scottish Governments to work together for the benefit of international students
The National Union of Students (NUS) Scotland has welcomed proposals for a Scottish Graduate Visa announced earlier today (Wednesday) by First Minister John Swinney in a speech made in Glasgow.
NUS Scotland has called for the UK government to work productively with the Scottish Government towards the realisation of this proposal.
Commenting, NUS Scotland President Sai Shraddha S. Viswanathan said:
“In Scotland we’re rightly proud of the brilliant education you can get at our Colleges and Universities. We should celebrate international students coming to study here and be grateful for the contributions they make to our communities and economy. If people want to stay, build lives and put that education to work here in Scotland we should welcome that.
For too long now policy around international students in UK has been driven by an ideological opposition to immigration that doesn’t serve Scotland, students or the education sector. Right now, we’re being treated as merely a source of income to be exploited to keep the system afloat as public funding to colleges and universities falls year after year.
Ultimately, we need to see the complete dismantling of the unjust hostile environment, and a renewed recognition of education as a public good accompanied by proper public funding. This policy proposal is a very welcome step in that direction, and we strongly encourage the UK Government to engage with the Scottish Government in good faith and work towards making it a reality.”