U.K. keeps promise on overseas students

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, NOV. 12. Keeping the promise given to India in September, the British Government has put in place a new policy that allows overseas students in the U.K. to apply for work permit employment immediately after graduation without having to first return home.

As announced by the British Minister for Competitiveness and E- commerce, Mr. Douglas Alexander, in Bangalore in September, the new overseas student-friendly regime came into effect recently. This measure, according to the British High Commissioner, Sir Rob Young, would enable Indian students gain first-hand work experience in the U.K. immediately after the completion of their studies there.

On the cards for a while now, the new policy, according to the British High Commission, will encourage more Indian students and professionals to study and work in the U.K. Earlier, work permit holders had to enter the U.K. with a permit. Presently, 7,000 Indian students study in the U.K. and it is estimated that their number will go up to 12,000 by 2005.

As per the new policy, students, who have successfully completed a degree course at either a publicly-funded or higher education institution or a bona fide private education institution which maintains satisfactory records of enrolment and attendance, will be eligible to stay on and work provided he/she does not have an adverse immigration history.

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Section  : National
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