AISA

AISA is a professional sub-group and practitioner network of UKCISA for those working in international student advice.

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What is AISA and what do we do?

AISA is a professional sub-group and practitioner network of UKCISA for those working in international student advice.

It was established in 1991 and since then has become an important voice in international student matters and a key forum for staff within the Higher and Further Education sectors, Student Unions, and other institutions.

It was set up by staff working with international students and continues to provide a strong and valuable network of support, training and information at grass roots level through connecting Advisers.

  • Regional meetings

    AISA is split into regions and each region has one or more Regional Chairs who organise and run regional meetings several times a year, in person and online, to provide members with an opportunity to discuss relevant advice and welfare topics, swap best practice, and learn from peers. The AISA Executive Committee ensure that the Regional Chairs are supported and regional meetings take place. They also gather key issues and trends from regional meetings in order to feed these back to UKCISA and UKVI.

  • Representing members

    AISA attends the Education Sector Group (ESG) and summer surge meetings with UKVI and other sector bodies to feed back operational issues to them and gather information from UKVI to feed back to AISA members.

  • Events

    The AISA Executive Committee organise an annual AISA conference which usually includes external speakers relevant to advice work. Previous conferences have included speakers from UKVI Study Operations and practitioners in Counselling, with topics including de-escalating difficult situations, looking after yourself as an Adviser and intercultural communication in an online world. We have also organised a world café event showcasing innovative approaches or unique research that Advisers are conducting in their institutions for attendees to learn and take inspiration from. We also organise online training and bite size sessions, as well as delivering sessions at the UKCISA Conference.

About AISA

Laura Bryan (Co-Chair) International Student Adviser Aston University
Tim Goss (Co-Chair) Student Visa Compliance Manager University of Cardiff
Emma Greenleaf International Student Adviser University of East London
Rachel Hacking Senior International Student Adviser Queen Mary University of London
Jasiba Khurana-Chauhan International Student Adviser Imperial College
John Killeen International Student Advice and Support Manager University of Brighton
Helen McBrinn Senior Immigration Adviser Queens University Belfast
Nadya McGinty Wellbeing Practitioner Northumbria University
Jane O'Loughlin Student Immigration Adviser University of Edinburgh
Melanie Singha International Student Adviser University of Glasgow
Beth Walton Immigration Compliance and Advice Manager University of Keele

An important function of AISA is the opportunity it creates for those working with international students throughout the UK to meet each other. One way that this is achieved is through the regional groups:

  • Midlands and North West
  • North East
  • South Coast
  • London and South East

Meetings are arranged within each area, usually termly, to discuss matters of interest or concern for international student advisers such as orientation programmes, fees and funding, and immigration issues. If you want more information about a regional group please contact the regional chair. Alternatively if you would like to enquire about starting your own region please email membership@ukcisa.org.uk.

Get involved

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    AISA forum topic

    You can join the discussion and explore all things AISA on our dedicated topic within the UKCISA forum.

    AISA forum
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    Upcoming AISA events

    Book yourself on to any upcoming AISA events on the UKCISA events page.

    Training and events
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    Contact us

    To get in contact with a member of the AISA team follow the link below and choose 'AISA' from the form dropdown.  

    Contact us
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Register to AISA

Membership is open to individuals working within an education provider that holds UKCISA membership. We welcome staff from all areas of education, particularly those with specific responsibility for providing advice to international students. 

AISA membership is included automatically as part of your UKCISA annual membership fee. 

Register for AISA

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