University of Sunderland vice-chancellor Sir David Bell discusses the impact the proposals in the Government's white paper on immigration could have on the city's university.
Category
📚
LearningTranscript
00:00Okay, on Monday the government published its white paper on immigration. What's your response to that?
00:06The government is absolutely right to address public concerns about immigration.
00:11At the same time, we want to continue to be a city and a country that welcomes international students because of the great contribution they make.
00:21And just what sort of proportion of students are to surrender international students and how important are they to the university?
00:27Last year, around about a third of our students in Sunderland came from overseas and they make a vital contribution both financially but also more widely in terms of the backgrounds they come from, the cultures that they share and the experiences they have here in our great city.
00:47I understand you also have a big impact on the local economy as well.
00:50Yes, the last time that this was reviewed, it was estimated in the Sunderland parliamentary constituencies, international students were contributing around £55 million.
01:02And that's £55 million of additional income coming into the city. If those students weren't here, we wouldn't have that money.
01:12I know this white paper is yet to be ratified, but what would your message to the government be?
01:16I think we continue to be a great place internationally when it comes to higher education.
01:23Our universities are extremely well regarded.
01:28So we must ensure that at the same time as we're addressing proper public concerns about immigration,
01:34we continue to make this story heard loud and clear.
01:38The UK and the UK's universities are open for business.
01:43The UK and the UK students say here are many интересēc