Immigration Minister visits the School of Engineering
10 September 2020
The UK Government’s Immigration Minister, Kevin Foster MP, visited the School of Engineering this week and took a tour of the High Voltage & Energy Research Laboratory.
Kevin Foster MP joined a round-table discussion with senior Cardiff University academics and seven international students from the School of Engineering to find out their views on studying overseas. The Minister’s visit was timed to coincide with an announcement that new international student immigration routes will open early. The Home Office has confirmed the ‘student route’, which is part of a new points-based immigration system will open on 5 October 2020 to the best and brightest international students from across the globe.
Some of the School of Engineering's international students, who have direct experience of government policies and will potentially benefit from confirmed changes to immigration laws, had the opportunity to share their experiences with the Minister.
The Minister was welcomed by the Head of the School of Engineering, Professor Jianzhong Wu, and given a tour of the High Voltage and Energy Research Laboratory, part of the Advanced High Voltage Engineering Research Centre, which is used for research into high voltage systems and phenomena in electrical power and transport applications.
With millions of homes and businesses relying on the National Grid, engineering research in high voltage electrical energy systems is very important in protecting from surges, preventing blackouts and ensuring safety, security and efficiency of the grid across the UK.
The School of Engineering would like to thank Mr Foster for visiting and hope that some of the discussions had can be translated into positive action that will benefit our international community in the future.
Following his visit to the School of Engineering, the Minister met with Study Group representatives. The meeting was an open and positive exchange where Study Group CEO, Emma Lancaster, shared her impressions of different visa systems for students around the world and how these are perceived by families and students.