UNIVERSITY OF York staff have been told to use registers to keep better track of the attendance of international students.
The move follows the UK Border Agency’s decision to penalise London Metropolitan University for accepting ‘bogus students.’ This removes the university’s right to admit students from outside the EU, stopping 2,700 international students from starting or completing their courses.
International students who want to study in the UK can apply for a visa to remain in the country as a student, but those from overseas will now find themselves being monitored more strictly by seminar tutors in order to meet government requirements.
Although it is an issue that predominantly affects universities in larger cities, the problem has prompted some concern that York is may not be implementing all the necessary precautions.
Those who do not consistently attend the University after obtaining a visa will not be complying with regulations outlined by the home office and UKBA, therefore living illegally in the UK.
York students will notice tutors handing out registers in all seminars in an attempt to make monitoring attendance easier, thus reducing the risk of foreign students obtaining a visa and subsequently failing to attend lectures and seminars.
University of York Registrar David Duncan told Vision that the move hopes to “improve aspects of the way we approach attendance monitoring” with the goal being to “make sure that the system is robust enough to pass any future inspections, but is not unduly onerous on students.
“However we were pleased to pass a recent inspection by the UKBA, where we retained our highly trusted status, with one inspector commenting that it was one of the best organised universities she’d been too.
“At the moment we are thinking of basing the attendance monitoring on the submission of assessed written work, and attendance at supervisions. This should be applicable across all departments and all students. We will draft a document and consult academic departments and student representatives over the coming weeks.
“We will continue to lobby through usual and other bodies for the government to reduce the burden of regulation so that we can continue to recruit excellent overseas students.”
YUSU International Officer/ISA President Mike Anstey told Vision: “YUSU are aware of the enforcement, and it has been seen as undesirable by many parties, including staff and students. Many have stated that this is a form of discrimination by the University.
“Although I do see their point, unfortunately it is a necessary procedure that the University of York must take, especially off the heels of the most recent UKBA decisions regarding London Metropolitan University.
“YUSU will be monitoring the situation closely for the upcoming academic year to totally ensure the welfare of international students is still a top priority.”