Thursday, October 13, 2011

Indian students hit as college campus shuts in London

New Delhi: The London campus of Pune-based Tasmac Group's business school was ordered to shut down by British authorities, affecting around 200 Indian students studying there.

But all is not lost for the students with Tasmac School of Business working with University of Wales to admit these students in other educational institutions, said ministry of external affairs spokesperson Vishnu Prakash on Tuesday.

The closure of the school was ordered by British authorities in their efforts related to tightening of norms of tier-4 student visas.

"It is understood that the UK authorities have ordered the closure of the London campus of Tasmac School of Business, on Oct 6. Tasmac is said to have business schools also at Bengaluru and Kolkata," Prakash said in response to questions in this regard.

The London campus was set up in 2004 and it was offering bachelor of arts (honours) and master of business administration degrees. It is estimated that about 200 Indian students were enrolled with the school.

"The decision to shut down the campus is believed to be related to UK efforts to tighten norms in respect of tier-4 student visas," the spokesperson said.

"The Indian high commission in London had established contact with Tasmac, which has conveyed that it is working with the University of Wales to transfer the students to other educational institutions, so that their studies are not disrupted," he said.

The Indian high commission has since placed an advisory on its website asking affected Indian students to contact the mission for required assistance, if any.

"So far no student has contacted the high commission. Officials of high commission have visited Tasmac campus in London and have also sought a meeting with UK Border Agency which should materialise soon," he added.

The high commission is now monitoring the situation closely. IANS

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