Parallel sessions G - Wednesday 14 July, 10.00-11.30am

G1. European mobility for non-EEA students: visa issues

An increasing number of institutions are forming partnerships with institutions around the EEA through programmes such as Erasmus Mundus. The participation of non-EEA nationals in these schemes is subject to visa regulations and procedures of the member states of the EEA.

This session aims to gather evidence of the practical issues raised in order to demonstrate to the relevant bodies that changes in policy and practice are needed to facilitate mobility

Suitable for experienced international student advisers and administrators

Presenter: Neil Gaskin, Swansea University

G2. Advisers and non-advisers under PBS:how to define the boundaries in your institution

With the introduction of the UK Border Agency’s Points Based System, the number of people dealing with the immigration rules in institutions has increased. This can have serious implications for advisers. What can we do to ensure that our expertise in advising students continues to be recognised, ensure that students are still referred for advice while avoiding taking on every task involved in the new PBS system?

This session will provide the opportunity for discussion in order to look at the key issues and some possible solutions. The session aims to provide a forum for discussion, share good practice and find solutions to issues faced by advisers under PBS.

Suitable for advisers working in FE or HE institutions.

Presenter: Julie Allen, London School of Economics and Political Science

G3. Supporting international students in FE: a case study

This session has now been merged with session G9. FE Forum - see below.

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G4. Dealing with crises

This workshop aims to make you aware of what needs to be done when situations involving international students who are in crisis occur – very often without any prior warning.

Using genuine case studies, in small groups, you will have the opportunity to express your personal views on how you think each situation should be handled, hear first hand from colleagues who have had some experience of dealing with such unexpected incidents how they coped, and together you can come up with a framework of action which could either form the basis of an institutional policy or, prompt you to revisit your existing institutional policy and update it.

Presenter: Jim Wilson, University of Strathclyde

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G5. Dependants under the Points Based Immigration System

This session will examine the regulations and guidance relating to dependants under the Points Based Immigration System, with particular focus on Tier 4. Many international students are accompanied by their families for at least part of their time in the UK.

This session will look at who is eligible to come to the UK as a dependant under Tier 4 of the points based system (PBS), the application processes for entry clearance and extensions of stay, and the funds required for maintenance.

In addition, the session will briefly consider dependants under the other PBS categories.

This session aims to:

• provide a clear understanding of the current UK regulations which relate to dependants under PBS
• enable advisers to feel more confident when advising students and their dependants

Objectives: by the end of the session, participants will be able to:

• identify when a student can apply to bring dependants to the UK
• advise students on entry clearance applications for their dependants
• advise students on extension applications for their dependants in the UK
• advise students with dependants on switching from Tier 4 to anther category under PBS

Suitable for experienced advisers or new advisers who have attended the UKCISA Basic Immigration course and who provide immigration advice to students and their families.

Presenter: Ros Martin, UKCISA

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G6. Accommodating international students: launch of the UKCISA/Unipol guide

Should accommodation for international students be a room or a home? Should we be social engineers in order to encourage a good social mix in halls, or should we allow self-selection into national groups? What do international students want and what’s different about their needs?

These are just some of the questions addressed by the new PMI-funded guide to good practice for international student accommodation.

Come to this session to find out more.

Presenter: Martin Blakey, Unipol

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G7. EEA/Swiss workers: Student Support eligibility

This session will consider the regulations and guidance governing the eligibility of student support for EEA/Swiss migrant workers.

The session aims to improve the confidence of advisers in challenging erroneous refusals of student support for EEA/ Swiss migrant workers.

Presenter: Deepa Chadha, UKCISA

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G8. How can we enhance the career & employability prospects of international students?

This workshop will help participants understand the issues, barriers and potential solutions involved in helping international students enhance their employability while at university and improve their knowledge of the UK labour market and that back home.

This session will describe how, through a range of PMI2 projects, AGCAS and NASES have developed services for students and resources to enable staff to support international students more effectively in their skills development, career planning and job-hunting. There will be plenty of opportunity for questions and discussion.

This session aims to increase participants’ awareness of the issues faced by international students and graduates in seeking and obtaining suitable employment, and to highlight some of the resources and potential solutions available.

Suitable for HE staff working with international students.

Presenters: Margaret Dane, AGCAS and NASES representative tbc

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G9. FE forum

A panel presentation focused on key issues facing colleges including: Tier 4, the student experience, partnerships, the AoC Charter, defining the UK college brand, HE/FE partnership and progression. These presentations will be followed by break out sessions and group feedback.

The session aims to:

• inform delegates on key issues facing the college sector
• share good practice and inform key stakeholders of the sector’s views on these important topics

Suitable for all delegates that work in or are involved with colleges or have an interest in the issues facing the sector.

Presenters: John Mountford & Marguerite Hogg, Association of Colleges, Louise Jowett, Llandrillo College

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G10. Tier 4 applications overseas

This session will outline the latest customer service developments in the overseas network, including websites and other applicant information services; local premium services; and issues raised in processing Tier 4 applications under the new rules, including the new Highly Trusted Sponsor scheme.

There will also be plenty of opportunity to ask questions on any aspect of the UK Border Agency's visa operations.

Presenter: Charlotte Taylor, UK Border Agency International Group

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