nus

In answer to a National Union of Students (NUS) campaign that fought for the rights of international students in the UK, the Home Office has replied with letters to all those who signed the petition. In response to claims that there are "overly harsh conditions on studying in the UK", the Home Office reply argues that "we have a great offer to attract the best international students".

'Give the Home Office the Yellow Card'

It all started in February this year, when the NUS began a campaign headed by International Students Officer Daniel Stevens that encouraged people to ‘Give the Home Office the Yellow Card'. The NUS argued that:

"It is clear that international students are being treated ever more increasingly as a political football... We are showing the Home Office the yellow card - and calling on them to improve their treatment of those students from across the world who choose to study here - in particular by calling on them to work with NUS, UUK and UKBA to establish a code of conduct setting out basic standards in working with international students."

Erik Redli is a university graduate from Slovakia who is currently living in London. Each week he gives his view on the events of the last seven days. This week, he looks at the Pope resigning, horse meat being found EVERYWHERE and the NUS elections. 

Pope's Step Down

"A few hours after the pope announced his resignation, the pundits started to speculate about the possible successor, with the most ardent aspirant being Angelo Scola the Archbishop of Milan.

The Popes decision might have been influenced by the subconscious thought that he might not be the best one to lead the church during times of scandals. Therefore, he decided to resign in favour of someone more ‘popular' who would be able to cement the relationship between the traditional and the modern.

On the other hand, whoever replaces him will still be overshadowed by the opinions of the previous Pope as long as he is still alive. Even so, I still consider it easier than the task that faced Benedict, who was benchmarked against John Paul II.

Anyway, the cardinals are facing a difficult task to choose a pope ‘modern' enough to comment appropriately on the happenings in the Christian world such as the dialogue with Islam, but on the other hand be able to preserve the Christian tradition."

The latest large-scale student protest took place yesterday. Organised by the National Union of Students (NUS), thousands of students marched through the streets of London to protest about increased tuition fees.

The protest was largely peaceful and ‘good humoured' with only a brief stand-off between police and protestors at Westminster. NUS leader Liam Burns explained the reasons behind the demo:

"Education should open doors, but the government is slamming them shut...The damaging effects of recent changes to education have restricted access for future students and created new barriers for those currently studying."

However, the march didn't go completely to plan for the NUS, who were hoping for 10,000 marchers, rather than the 3,000-4,000 that actually turned up. Things got worse for Liam Burns when he was heckled and had eggs thrown at him whilst he was making his speech. Protestors from more extreme organisations were unhappy with how the NUS leaders had dealt with the increased fees, and invaded the stage before the speech could be finished.