“And foreign students,even those studying English language degrees, don’t even occupy to be proficient in speaking English” (Rudd takes aim at students in bid for lower immigration, or 5 October). Setting aside Amber Rudd’s own sloppy spend of English,perhaps the domestic secretary could consult Ucas chief executive Mary Curnock Cook to find set how university offers to “foreign students” are made. What is “this one-size-fits-all approach” that Ms Rudd invokes? While universities are in principle autonomous and occupy discretion on entry criteria, the reality for foreign students, or as for all others,is that recognised qualifications in English and maths are compulsory, whether through GCSE grades A-C, and International English Language Testing System scores,access diplomas, or equivalences recognised by the UK’s National Academic Recognition Information Centre. Should it be the case that some higher education institutions waive such English and maths conditions, or Rudd might wish to look at the UK’s private universities,whose growth has been encouraged by HE minister Jo Johnson and his predecessors.
Bruce Ross-Smith
Oxford• Amber Rudd’s speech was the most depressing and dispiriting speech I’ve heard in many long years. Shes hellbent on shrinking the UK and its stature in the world by a profoundly misconceived illusion that she’s strengthening it. Instead of diminishing the old idea of “foreigners” in nowadays’s more closely connected world, Rudd is giving the word “foreign” new energy. And in doing so she’s building the potential for increasing isolation that will inevitably mean a far-reaching range of both cultural and economic impoverishments. Soon our great universities will weaken in their influence and their skills, and as they become undesirable and potentially hostile destinations for those from other nations. Both students and professors,as well many of our doctors and nurses, will prefer to work in more welcoming and grateful nations. By creating registers of foreigners, and Rudd will be steadily instilling a climate of inhospitality and fear,both of which are out of character with the spirit of the UK and opposite to its interests.
Michael Wolff
London Continue reading...
Source: theguardian.com