UKCISA Conference
Sessions G - Friday 1 July, 1.45-3.00pm
G1. The demarcation between PBS sponsor duties and "immigration advice" (repeat of C2)
A number of institutions have established processes for their PBS compliance where responsibility for implementation, management and monitoring of PBS resides within an administrative area separate from the international advisory service. The result of this is that the UKBA (in and out of country) will contact the 'key contact' for PBS with queries which are then dealt with in this area but which should be responded to by an ISA as they constitute "immigration advice" and require compliance with OISC.
The purpose of this session is to provide guidance on how best to establish clear boundaries between PBS sponsor duties and those responsible for ensuring compliance, and those situations where immigration advice is required. The session will look at what can be answered and by whom, taking into consideration OISC requirements. Consideration will be given to how these can be translated into policy and procedure, thus establishing a framework which can be used across institutions.
By the end of the session, participants will be able to:- identify the different requirements of sponsor duties and advice giving, and
- recognise good practice in identifying internal policies which comply with PBS sponsor duties and OISC requirements
Presenters: Tam Milner, University of Birmingham; Helen Eastham, University of Birmingham & Rosalind Martin, UKCISA
G2. Enrolment and PBS: an institutional perspective (repeat of C4)
Incorporating PBS sponsor duties into key university events such as main enrolment is a sizable and significant project. The consequences of non-compliance are serious and the stakeholders are numerous, not least UKBA. It has led to much closer collaboration between immigration advisers and a wide range of university services than ever before. This session will look at how Warwick has communicated the requirements of PBS to non-immigration colleagues and has amended existing technical and student service processes to comply with PBS. We hope that the session will be interactive so that presenters and attendees all come away with examples of best practice.
Presenters: Claire O'Leary & Natalie Snodgrass Tan, University of Warwick
G3. Tier 4 visa decision making – efficient, effective and fair? (repeat of F2)
The Independent Chief Inspector ensures independent scrutiny of the UK Border Agency, providing confidence and assurance as to its efficiency and effectiveness.
As part of the Chief Inspector's programme of work, overseas UK Border Agency visa sections are regularly inspected to determine if decision making is:
- efficient, effective and fair; and
- in accordance with relevant Immigration Rules and UK Border Agency policy and guidance.
Attendees will gain valuable insight into how Tier 4 visa decision making has been managed overseas and the impact this has had on students and UK educational establishments.
Presenter: Garry Cullen, Assistant Chief Inspector, Independent Chief Inspector of the UK Border Agency
G4. Working with international students at Christmas
International students can often feel isolated during the Christmas vacation.
In response to this, with funding from a PMI2 pilot project, both Universities in Sheffield came together to deliver a series of social events and activities for students staying in the City at Christmas.
Come along to find out what we did, what worked, what didn't work and how we plan to build on this in the future.
Presenters: Asha Rogers, Sheffield University & Krassimira Teneva, Sheffield Hallam University
G5. Developing staff student relationships for cultural understanding
The increasing cultural diversity of universities among both staff and students creates specific challenges in communication, particularly for staff in 'frontline' positions. This often leads to requests for information about specific cultural differences, both to prepare the expectations of international students on or before arrival and to prevent cross cultural misunderstandings when host staff and students engage with sojourners and visitors. There is an inherent danger when attempting top meet these demands of oversimplifying and essentialising cultures in ways which encourage a static view of culture; ignoring dynamic and complex variations.
This session offers an analysis of informal interactions between frontline university staff and international students and an opportunity to explore factors which may facilitate or impede intercultural communication and develop inclusive institutional responses to cultural diversity.
Presenter: Viv Thom, Sheffield Hallam university
G6. Cancelled
G7. Recruitment for advisers
International student advisers and recruiters need to work together to ensure the best experience for international students coming to an institution. But the demands of the two roles sometimes seem to be in conflict. This session will look at the recruitment process from the perspective of an adviser-turned-recruiter, and consider how to ensure a joined-up approach from all parts of the institution.
Presenter: James Richardson, University of Hull
G8. Professional development opportunities in international education
This session will look at a range of continuing professional development opportunities in the field of international education, considering the range of options available, and discussing how these meet our needs, and those of the staff we manage. It will include reflections from three staff who have recently undertaken relevant postgraduate qualifications.
Presenters: Beatrice Merrick, UKCISA, Laura Dowling, Birmingham City University, Alana Holland, University of Surrey, Emma Jordan, University of Plymouth
G9 - Cancelled
G10. Stop Press: Work options after study
This session is designed to provide participants with updated information on issues, and changes in legislation, that have arisen in the last 12 months in relation to work options after study. The course is intended for experienced advisers who already have a good understanding of existing provisions affecting international students. Advisers may also wish to book onto AB1, which will cover other important changes in the last 12 months.
Note: Participants who plan to attend one of the UKCISA Stop Press training events earlier in the year are advised not to attend this session, or AB1, as they will both consist of material that has already been covered in those events.
Presenter: Christopher Benjamin, UKCISA
↑ Back to top