Imperial is 'open to talent', writes President Gast in the Times of India

Some of Imperial's 300 Indian students took part in a record-breaking international group hug with students from 57 other countries.

British universities remain "open and welcoming to students from India" despite misperceptions, says Professor Alice Gast.

In an op-ed for the Times of India, which ran on page one of the newspaper’s Education Times supplement, Professor Gast said: “At Imperial, the number of Indian students is on the rise. When talented Indian students come to British universities, something special happens. They excel academically, creatively and entrepreneurially. Their work makes the UK, India and the rest of the world richer: not just in income, but in ideas.” 

Imperial alum and Hike founder Kavin Mittall

She highlighted the recently introduced tier 4 visa pilot, which allows Indian and other international students to access a streamlined visa process and remain in the UK for six months after their studies, if they win places on Masters degrees at Imperial or three other institutions.

Professor Gast wrote about the achievements of two of Imperial’s 3,000 Indian alumni: entrepreneur Kavin Mittall, who founded Hike, one of the world’s top messaging services, and inventor Malav Sanghavi, whose low-cost baby incubator and smart prosthetics have won plaudits around the world. 

Professor Gast added that the “Mayor Sadiq Khan’s ‘London is Open’ campaign has galvanised the British capital’s artistic, cultural, business and academic talent to send a clear message that partners are welcome from India and beyond. Opinion polls show overwhelming public support for international students. 

“The opportunities are there for Indian students to access Britain’s best universities. Let’s not allow misperceptions to get in the way.”

The full op-ed can be read in the Times of India. 

[Main image credit: Thomas Angus. Kavin Mittall image credit: World Economic Forum.]