The Rt Hon Baroness Smith of Malvern, in her role as a Minister of State (Minister for Skills) in the Department for Education, celebrated the contributions of international students at the All-Party Parliamentary Group for International Students annual reception, co-sponsored by UKCISA.
The event took place to mark International Students Day at the House of Lords on Monday 18 November, and was introduced by Matt Western MP and attended by cross-party MPs and peers, embassy officials, UKCISA staff, trustees and student ambassadors, sector friends and international students.
Jacqui Smith reiterated the government’s commitment to welcoming international students and stated the aim to do everything to support them to succeed in their studies and future careers. She emphasised the importance of the Graduate route, which provides a flexible pathway for international graduates to gain work experience during their degree for up to two years (three as a PhD graduate), as a key policy to enable both students and the UK to benefit from their skills and experience.
Jacqui Smith highlighted the positive impact students have in the UK, in our universities, communities and local areas. This was underpinned by UKCISA’s #WeAreInternational Student Ambassadors, Melody Sequira and Xiaoxiao Hou, who shared their journeys studying, living, working and volunteering in the UK.
Melody Noella Sequeira is a first-year PhD student in Translational Neuroscience at the University of Edinburgh. Having first arrived in the UK amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdown, Melody reflected in her speech on how her experiences helped to broaden her understanding of what she could bring to the UK beyond her studies.
“When an international student chooses to pursue their education in the UK, they choose to become part of the local community and are changed by the experience. Thanks to the UK and the invaluable education I received both inside and outside classes, I was inspired and supported to pursue research with an aim to advance recovery and diagnosis through medical interventions and through fostering understanding and empathy. [...]
I envision a future where more students like me come to the UK not only to study but also to volunteer in local communities, gain valuable experiences, build beautiful friendships, and contribute to sectors like healthcare, research, and beyond.”
Xiaoxiao Hou is a Doctor in Music Psychology, with a focus on dementia research at the University of Liverpool. She shared her story of studying Masters programmes in Durham and Leeds, volunteering with a charity that uses music to help those with dementia, sharing her culture through teaching Chinese and performing as an accomplished Chinese zither player.
“I ask you to see international students not just as a global talent pool contributing nearly £42 billion to the UK economy, but as individuals with dreams, aspirations, and the potential to create lasting change.
Let’s make the UK a welcoming home for international students, fostering a global community of learning, innovation, and cultural exchange. After all, in the grand symphony of education, we’re all playing our part – and together, we’re creating something extraordinary.”
UKCISA Chief Executive Anne Marie Graham shared:
“What we hear at UKCISA everyday is the stories of courage, talent and ambition, and the bravery it takes to study overseas.
We are so grateful that so many talented individuals choose the UK to form their future. We’re glad to see that recognised and supported by the government, as it’s a mission we all share.”
We've shared blogs of the full speeches from both Melody and Xiaoxiao. For more stories from UKCISA #WeAreInternational Student Ambassadors celebrating their achievements click here.
