3. Memorandum submitted by
the Association of Colleges
1. The key issue in regard to "bogus colleges"
is the need to introduce quality criteria into the process of
becoming an "approved provider". A new list of approved
institutions will supersede the current DfES register next year
but the latter has no such criteria. The DfES register's lack
of "gate-keeping" in terms assessing low-quality or
amount of provision could be very damaging to the image of UK
education. In the interests of damage limitation pending the introduction
of the new register, we suggest that DfES remove those institutions
who are quite obviously not mainstream providers and the Association
of Colleges would be happy to assist with this process.
2. The proposed use of the term "sponsor"
for approved institutions hosting international students is very
problematic (particularly within some cultures) as it implies
financial support is being offered by that institution. We are
pressing for an alternative.
3. AoC is delighted to be working proactively
with colleagues from the IND, Home Office, FCO, UKvisas, DfES,
UKCOSA and the university sector via the Joint Education Taskforce
(JET) and related work streams to explore in detail the issues
relating to Immigration Bill and the points-based system and the
potential impact on international students coming to the UK. Phase
2 of the Prime Minister's Initiative to attract more international
students to the UK (PMI2), which will be launched in April 2006,
demonstrates the crucial need for a balance between "control"
and ensuring that barriers to international student recruitment
(with its widely-acknowledged benefits for the UK) are minimised.
PMI2 will include a focus on ensuring a positive experience at
quality-assured institutions for bona fide overseas students.
We will be working closely with UKCOSA on this but are very keen
to ensure that adequate resources are allocated to this area within
the PMI2 strategy and that FE institutions are appropriately supported.
Diane Mullen
International Policy Manager
3 February 2006
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