THE VICE-chancellor of Coventry University has said triggering Article 50 begins a negotiation phase where universities need to be heard.
Speaking as the UK started the process of exiting the EU on Wednesday (March 29), Professor John Latham said while some universities will reduce in size and scale, others may well choose this moment to go global.
He added: “Last year, Coventry guaranteed fees for EU students would not exceed those of their UK counterparts for five years.
“But as a sector we must keep pressing for students to be removed from immigration figures, so that UK higher education remains competitive, welcoming and diverse.
“Take the example of a brilliant student coming to the UK to study, who then moves on to a postgraduate course, then stays on and becomes a researcher – at the moment, that is several immigrations, but just one person.
“UK higher education has a global outlook, not just for student recruitment but in terms of business and research partnerships.
“This means universities can help keep the UK competitive and open for business, in a way that transcends political negotiations.”
