Hundreds of Nigerian students in London face deportation as London Metropolitan University has had their right to admit foreign students revoked.
Many of the international students speak of their deportation worries if not able to find a sponsor within 60 days, elombah.com reports.
“Some people come from poorer backgrounds… parents have sold their homes or land and made huge sacrifices to get them here,’ says London Met student facing deportation.
Lilian Owhor, 20, from Nigeria, is about to start her second year reading forensic science.
She said, “I’m really worried because this is my future.
“I have come in today to get my transcripts, as I will have to see if I can transfer to another university.
“I haven’t been very happy since yesterday. My friends have told me to have hope.
“The university have said they would help us. I contacted them yesterday before the final decision was announced but I haven’t spoken to anyone yet today.
“I haven’t told my parents. I am just hoping I don’t have to go back to Nigeria. My fees are around £11,000 per year. I have already spent a lot of money on my education here.”
Emmanuel Egwu, 24 from Nigeria is the international student officer at the university’s student union and about to begin his third year reading forensic science.
He said, “I have lost my job, not just my place at this university. I came over here in 2009 and I have invested a huge amount in this university.
“My role within the Union means I represent the students affected. More than 2,600 students studying here are about to face two options: they can look for another place in another university or they can leave.
“People have been ringing me all morning from their homes in Nigeria and India asking me what they should do. I have to explain to them that they have to stay calm and they can call whenever they need me.
“They will receive a letter from UKBA who will tell them they have 60 days to find a solution.
“This is devastating, some people come from poorer backgrounds and their parents have sold their homes or land and made huge sacrifices to get them here.
“I’m feeling very bitter. I can’t believe that they can do this to international students. It poses a serious threat to UK higher education.”
Egwu said the students affected were planning to meet with the vice chancellor of the university laterThursday (today).
“We’ll see what he has to say,” he added.
He said they also hope to plan a peaceful protest.
Syed Rumman, 26, graduated from the university last year. He studied law and is now the vice president of education at the student union and student governor of the university.
He said: “I require a T4 visa to work for the university so I will have to leave my job.
“I’m angry, I’m devastated, I’m speechless but on the other hand this is a wider issue, because this is the first time that T4 sponsorship places have been revoked at a UK university.
“There are lots of questions in my mind.
“But on a practical level, where are all these students going to go? You see on the news that people doing their A-Levels have found it hard to go to the universities they want to go to.
“I just don’t know what is going to happen. It’s in the middle of their studies, some of them will be submitting research projects of the summer, things will be unfinished. It’s a bombshell.”
London Metropolitan University’s HTS status was suspended last month while UKBA examined alleged failings.
A statement posted on the university’s website Wednesday night reads, “The implications of the revocation are hugely significant and far-reaching, and the university has already started to deal with these. It will be working very closely with the UKBA, Higher Education Funding Council for England, the NUS and its own Students’ Union.
“Our absolute priority is to our students, both current and prospective, and the university will meet all its obligations to them.”
The NUS on Wednesday contacted Prime Minister David Cameron and Home Secretary Theresa May to “express anger at the way decisions have been made in recent weeks and to reiterate the potentially catastrophic effects on higher education as a £12.5 billion per year export industry for the UK.”
NUS president Liam Burns said, “It is disgusting that international students continue to be used as a political football by politicians who seem either incapable of understanding, or are simply uncaring about the impact of their decisions on individuals, universities and the UK economy.
“This decision will create panic and potential heartbreak for students not just at London Met but also all around the country.
“Politicians need to realise that a continued attitude of suspicion towards international students could endanger the continuation of higher education as a successful export industry.
“This heavy-handed decision makes no sense for students, no sense for institutions and no sense for the country. This situation and the botched process by which the decision was arrived at could be avoided if international students were not included in statistics of permanent migrants.”
A UKBA spokesman said, “London Metropolitan University’s licence to sponsor non-EU students has been revoked after it failed to address serious and systemic failings that were identified by the UK Border Agency six months ago.
“We have been working with them since then, but the latest audit revealed problems with 61 per cent of files randomly sampled. Allowing London Metropolitan University to continue to sponsor and teach international students was not an option.
“These are problems with one university, not the whole sector. British universities are among the best in the world – and Britain remains a top class destination for top class international students.
“We are doing everything possible, working with Universities UK, to assist genuine students that have been affected.”
Keith Vaz, chairman of the Home Affairs Select Committee, said the move could harm Britain’s reputation as a prime destination for overseas students. Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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pls we have university plenty for naija, no JAMB or Post UME again. come come just come we are waiting for all of you.
ReplyDeleteAre you serious come to where a place where it takes 8 years to finish a 4 year course or a place where out dated course are still being taught, this people have paid like £11,000 for school fees and would have to pay another £11,000 to another school in 60 days if you have nothing better to say then don't say it
ReplyDeleteNemesis. Is it not the corrupt nature of the system in Nigeria that has made most people who corruptly enriched themselves to pay heavily for their children in these foreign schools. It is the same people that run down the educational system by embezzeling funds mearnt foreducational sector only to send their children overseas to study. I hope other schools in Europe and America and other parts of the world follow suit.
ReplyDeleteI wonder where this country is going, gone where the days when you get fustrated in the home and you'll have somewhere to run to but with all dis now I just don't know where d country is going and it's d bad record that has been set by our corrupt leaders that is affecting dis guyz out there 'cos they believe they are only using their study visa to seek for greener pastures. May God in His infinite mercies deliver our nation
ReplyDeleteIt's all bullshit, dis is wen d 9ja ambassador to UK shld help our fellow student. I feel der pain. I for one paid 10800 pounds for my masters. My mum sold her land just to c me av a better education. U guys said Der are uni in Nigeria, fine . I spent 7 gud years at OOU for a 4 years course all bcos of strike. Our leaders wldnt say any thing now just bcos der kids are not affected. It's a shame init.
ReplyDeleteThese change shld not be automatic, it has to be gradual with proper monitoring of the affected University in three years things will phase out and these students will graduate. Are they jealous about our drive for higher education. UK gov. Shld intervene. The World are watching.
ReplyDeleteDear Ejike,
ReplyDeleteI have read a couple of your comments on different opinion and I think you should try to have positive of matters when necessary.As much as I agree with you on the impact of corruption in our society,it is not true that everyone studying outside Nigeria has corrupt sponsors.At least think of scholarships and some other opportunities available to students that have shown great academic performance.Think of people working to sponsor their education.
Fine,there are schools in Nigeria but think of the level of technology in Nigeria and the budget provision for education and research.The Nigerian dream that everyone of us share may not be possible without the contribution of people that have been trained in a better academic environment.
So, let us know the problem with the Nigerian society and try to solve it in a logical and reasonable way.
Ola
Not all the students are from rich background. A lot of them struglled to get the fees and travel for studies and potential to offer their services ina 'country where things work'. Nigeria jagajaga
ReplyDeleteI am always amazed at the level of ignorance of some of the comments contributors. Really amazed. So the people studying abroad are from corrupt backgrounds? What an ignorant position to take, when serious issues are being discussed. Perhaps there is some jealousy on your part? Can we please make decent, thought-provoking and forward-thinking comments and stop trivializing issues? Thank you.
ReplyDeleteProud Naija.
Ejike thanks alot for your contribution.
ReplyDeletewhat is bad in building nigeria universities to the standard of those in the western world.
Nigerians will steal money meant for development because they are opportune and send their wards to best university in the world to the detriment of the poor.