LMU files judicial review petition in the high court against revocation of its licence

Updated on: Wednesday, September 12, 2012

A London-based university, whose licence to admit and teach Indian and other non-EU students was revoked last month, today filed a judicial review petition in the high court here against the action that affected over 350 Indian students.

The London Metropolitan University (LMU) had earlier declared that after reviewing the evidence produced by the UK Border Agency (UKBA) to cancel its licence, it would challenge it in the "strongest possible terms".
 
The judicial review petition is expected to be considered within two days, given the urgency of the situation. The academic future of Indian and other non-EU students numbering over 2,600 became uncertain by the UKBA decision.
 
A specially formed taskforce is currently working to arrange alternative place at other universities for current students at various stages of their courses.
 
The next academic year starts later this year.
 
The affected students will have 60 days after the UKBA writes for them from October 1 to find a place at other universities or face deportation home.
 
Protests have been held and much concern has been expressed by political parties and others over the UKBA decision.
 
Professor Malcolm Gillies, Vice-Chancellor of London Metropolitan University, said, "London Met will fight this revocation, which is based on a highly flawed report by the UKBA. The University will continue to give top priority to the interests of our international students who have been so distressed by this precipitate action."
 
The LMU said in a statement, "The UK has a long-standing reputation of educational excellence and for attracting genuine students from a diverse international market. It is not in anyone's interests for there to be a system in place which constantly changes and which forces universities, their management and their staff automatically to treat students with suspicion until proven otherwise".
 
It added, "London Met is concerned that the current immigration policy is creating confusion across universities in the country and irrevocable damage to the UK's globally-recognised education sector".

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