Cautious welcome to UK student visa pilot

LONDON: A new two-year pilot project at three UK universities that allows Indian and other non-EU students extra time to find employment after their course ends has received a cautious welcome, saying it does not address the real issue.

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The Home Office introduced the pilot in July for academic years starting September 2016 and September 2017, under which non-European Union students will be able to remain in Britain for six months after their course ends. The pilot runs at the universities of Oxford, Cambridge and Bath and Imperial College London. Sanam Arora of the National Indian Students and Alumni Union (UK) told HT: “While we are supportive of the scheme in general, the key aim seems to be around enabling students to find employment opportunities by giving them a slightly longer time period. This addresses the wrong issue... that students are discriminated against the moment they disclose they will require visa sponsorship.”