‘London must remain open to India’s top talent’

Calling more and more Indian students to study at the city’s universities, London Mayor Boris Johnson on Monday said that welcoming international students is in the best interest of London.

Calling more and more Indian students to study at the city’s universities, London Mayor Boris Johnson on Monday said that welcoming international students is in the best interest of London.

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“I want to welcome all students who see themselves studying and working in London. International students not only bring bright ideas that cement the reputation of our leading universities, they have huge spending power that boosts the UK economy,” Johnson said.

Speaking to students at Amity University Noida, Johnson said that London has the maximum number of top ranking universities in the world and is also among the safest cities.

“The entry to all our museums is free and there are twice as many book shops in London as compared to New York. These are indicators that London is a very student friendly city,” he said.

He also welcomed Amity University’s decision to start a big residential campus in London. The university already has a campus of the School of Global Business Management in Delhi.

Commenting on the restriction in student visas, Johnson said, “The government is right to not open doors to those who will be a drain on the state but it is crazy that we should be losing India’s top talent and the global leaders of the future to Australia and United States.”

Losing students to America was one of his major concerns when it came to the education sector. “The worry is that young Indians are already orientated towards America,” he said.

However, calling Indian students to London was not the only thing the Mayor had on his mind. “I also want students from England to study in India and see what all the country has to offer,” he added.