Calls made to reinstate post-study work visas

MORE than 100 figures from business and academia have backed the reintroduction of a visa allowing overseas students to work in Scotland after completing their qualifications.

Glasgow University principal Anton Muscatelli, Sir Timothy O’Shea, the principal and vice-chancellor of Edinburgh University, and Professor Pete Downes, the principal of Dundee University, are amongst those who want such a visa to be reintroduced.

Professor Gerry McCormac, the vice-chancellor and principal at Stirling University, and Professor Andrea Nolan, who holds the same posts at Edinburgh Napier University, also signed a statement calling on the UK Government to “fully engage” with ministers in Scotland to achieve this. Europe Minister Humza Yousaf said the statement showed how “vital” it was to the country for a poststudy work visa be brought back in

Vonnie Sandlan, president-elect of the National Union of Students in Scotland, Tom Inns, the director at Glasgow School of Art, and Strathclyde University’s chief operating officer Hugh Hall also gave their support, along with leading figures from a number of other universities.

The support was revealed as the Europe Minister held talks in London with MP Paul Blomfield, chairman of the Westminster all-party parliamentary group on migration.

It comes after the Smith Commission, which looked at further devolution, recommended ministers in London and Edinburgh work together to explore the possibility of introducing a formal scheme to allow foreign students graduating from Scottish universities to remain in the country and contribute to its economy for a defined period of time.