British visa reform needed to keep attracting Hong Kong students after Brexit, says university president

Imperial College London president claims city’s students have enriched school’s community

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Imperial College London takes in around 250 Hong Kong students every year, a number which has remained steady since the Brexit vote. Photo: Felix Wong

Published: 2:46pm, 18 Nov 2017Updated: 3:34pm, 18 Nov 2017

Hong Kong students make a meaningful contribution to British society and worldwide, the president of a top London university has said, as she calls for visa reforms to make it easier for students to remain after graduation.

Her remarks came as uncertainty about the British academic and research scene – and fears of an unwelcoming atmosphere after the Brexit vote – loom over international students considering higher education in a country long known for its high quality in the sector.

Professor Alice Gast, president of Imperial College London, spoke of how Hong Kong students had enriched the university’s community.

“It is no surprise that so many of our Hong Kong students go on to achieve great things that have an impact in the UK, Hong Kong and worldwide,” she told the Post in an interview last month.

Professor Alice Gast called for visa reform to make it easier for students to remain in Britain after graduation. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Gast cited the examples of maritime industry leader Sabrina Chao and apparel innovator Richard Lee, whom she said were an inspiration to the university.

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