The Vice-Chancellor of De Montfort University Leicester (DMU) said he has continued to make the case “for an open and truly global UK university sector” as part of the UK’s high-profile trade mission to India.
Professor Dominic Shellard is among VCs and senior HE figures present at South Asia’s largest technology conference, which was opened on Monday by British PM Theresa May and Indian prime minister Narendra Modi.
As part of the official delegation to India-UK TECH Summit, Prof Shellard has been working to reassure international students and staff they are welcome in the UK following the outcome of the EU Referendum.
Prof Shellard said: "It's been an honour to represent UK higher education in India as part of the UK's ministerial delegation.
"As well as undertaking a range of engagements on behalf of DMU with some of our key stakeholders - including alumni and prospective students – there have also been important and fruitful discussions with both Indian and UK partner organisations on a range of common challenges.
"We continue to make the case for an open and truly global UK university sector and for the immense benefits that brings to us all. The welcome that message has received among our Indian friends and colleagues gives us great hope for the future."
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Apply to DMU now - link for international studentsToday (9 November) Prof Shellard is due to take part in an event in New Delhi alongside University of Sheffield Vice-Chancellor Sir Keith Burnett and Nicola Dandridge, chief executive of Universities UK, with prospective Indian students and DMU alumni.
DMU was the first UK university to organise targeted visits across Europe to try to reassure international students and underline the critical role EU students and staff played in Britain’s universities. However, it is the first event to be held jointly with the University of Sheffield and Universities UK.
The University of Sheffield spearheaded the sector-wide #WeAreInternational campaign in response to the increased difficulties facing international students who wish to study in the UK.
More international students come to the UK from India than any other country except China, who study at undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
Reports in India show that since the result of the EU Referendum, Indian students were increasingly looking to New Zealand, Australia, Germany and China to study instead of the UK.
The UK is the third highest investor in India and the largest among G20 countries.
Posted on Wednesday 9 November 2016