Overview of Tier 4 Points Based System – David Ramsbotham (UKBA)
The Confirmation of Acceptance to Study (CAS) replaces visa letters from Feb 2010.
There was a dip in international applications but these are now back to pre-PBS levels. Similarly, higher level of refusals but now back to pre-PBS levels (better quality applications).
Mandatory reporting requirement for any CAS issued.
Bulk Data Transfer to transfer data from local student information systems to Sponsorship Management System (SMS).
In February, a bulk update feature will be rolled out that allows upload of bulk financial data to the SMS. Specification for this due in next few days.
Reporting duties from February 2010 where there is a CAS issued. One of the criteria relates to ‘10 expected contacts’ and this is accepted as a definition set at the institutional level, could be e.g. exams.
From October 5th 2009, students were ‘tied’ to their sponsor institution (although not applied to pre-Oct 5th applications). To change sponsor institutions will need to apply again and be granted a CAS before they can study at the new institution.
Issues of abuse – applications being monitoring closely from certain areas and for certain courses (pre-session courses) in India, Nepal and areas of China.
Some licences for sponsors suspended and some revoked as a result of investigation into recruitment methods.
Identity Management – John Paschoud, LSE and Luke Taylor, Bristol
80-90% still feel this is a key issue for Universities. A number of business drivers – stick and carrot in terms of helping compliance as well as improving services through joining up systems.
Hard to make the business case? An indirect benefit to the organisation, something that enables other things.
Suggest that there is a policy vacuum – incomplete at best. How someone becomes/ceases to be a member of the organisation is unclear, not documented, authorised at the right level.
JISC IdM Toolkit – started work Jan 09, launch next March 10 at UCISA Management Committee and JISC conference same month.
Toolkit includes definitions and terminology and concepts. Still opportunities to address feedback on work so far. Links to other e-Framework elements. Governance and policy guidance, templates and guidance for IdM audit current practice. Gap Analysis, requirements specifications. Roadmaps, and procurement guidance.
Luke talked about Bristol’s involvement and experiences of testing the toolkit.
Tags: cisg09, cisg2009, identity management, IdM, international students, pbs, UCISA, ukba