LONDON (NNN-Bernama) -- The new student visa system introduced in Britain to prevent abuse has led to a decline in the number of Indian students although the overall number of international students has not changed.
"I accept there has been a decline in the number of students coming from India. The increase in the number of students coming from other parts of South-east Asia easily compensates for the decline from India," Home Office minister of state Lord Henley said during a debate in the House of Lords on Friday.
Labour peer Lord Judd had asked Lord Henley if he had looked at the evidence of what had happened to the number of students coming from India.
"We are not seeing a decline in the overall number of students coming to universities. What we are seeing is a decline in the numbers of those who were coming here allegedly to study but using that as a way of getting round the immigration system," Lord Henley said.
Saying that the controversial changes made to the student visa system were "quite right", the minister said: "I am proud of it and there has been no damage to United Kingdom universities as a result."
Lord Henley said that the changes were intended to "reform the student visa route". -- NNN-BERNAMA
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