Students from outside Europe studying in the UK will have to
supply their fingerprints so that a new IT system can track their
attendance.
The UK border
agency will run the system in an attempt to deter bogus
students. But university chiefs say they are concerned about the IT
system for the scheme.
From March next year, universities and colleges will need a
licence from the agency to teach non-European students before they
can enroll them, the
home office announced. The students will need sponsorship from
a licensed education institution and will need to supply their
fingerprints.
Students will also have to prove that they have the money and
qualifications to take their courses.
From autumn 2009, the government will introduce technology that
will help universities and colleges monitor these students'
attendance. This will make it easier for institutions to inform on
students who fail to enroll or miss more than ten "expected
contacts", such as tutorials or coursework deadlines.
The government says that it has identified and de-listed nearly
300 bogus colleges since 2005.
The immigration minister, Phil Woolas, said, "International
students contribute £2.5bn to the UK economy in tuition fees
alone."
"This new route for students will ensure we know exactly who is
coming here to study, and stamp out the bogus colleges which
facilitate lawbreakers."
However, Diana Warwick, chief executive of
Universities
UK, the group representing vice-chancellors and principals,
warned that the information was being released too late to be
included in this year's prospectus.
And she was worried about the IT system that will run the new
system, saying, "We remain very concerned about the IT system that
will support the new arrangements. Sufficient time needs to be
allowed to enable universities to provide input to the IT
specification and for testing to take place, both in the UK and
overseas.
"Students have a short period of time in which to make their
visa applications and if the IT system does not work during this
window, students will miss the start of their programmes and may
decide not to come to the UK."