Be in no doubt, international students are welcome in the UK. This new government values their contribution to our universities, to our communities, to our country.
Secretary of State for Education, the Rt Hon Bridget Phillipson MP
23 July 2024
King's welcomes Education Secretary to Education Embassy Conference
Ministers, diplomats, senior policy makers and representatives from across the higher education sector gathered at King's for the 12th Education Embassy Conference in London.
Delivering the opening keynote address, Secretary of State for Education, the Rt Hon Bridget Phillipson MP, recognised the importance of international students to the UK higher education sector, and the value of international partnerships to the Government’s aims to create opportunity for all.
The Secretary of State said “Under this government, education is once again at the forefront of national life. Under this new government, universities are a public good, not a political battleground, and opportunity is for everyone. International partnerships are central to this drive to spread opportunity far and wide. The more we work together, the more progress we will see in the world.”
"International students will always be welcome in this country...the UK wouldn’t be the same without them. International students drive dynamism on so many levels.”
Secretary of State for Education, the Rt Hon Bridget Phillipson MP
The Secretary of State reflected not only on the positive impact of international students on the UK economy, with each overseas student adding around £100,000 economic boost, but to their wide-ranging contributions across art, culture, sport, and many other areas.
The Secretary of State was joined by Professor Shitij Kapur, Vice Chancellor & Principal of King’s, who reflected on King’s rich history as a global university in the heart of London, and the achievements of our international community. Delegates also heard from Lord Karen Bilimoria of Chelsea CBE and Jamie Arrowsmith, Director of Universities UK International (UUKi).
It was a privilege to welcome the new Secretary of State for Education, Rt. Hon Bridget Phillipson, diplomats and sector representatives from around the world to King’s. UK higher education is world-leading and it was wonderful to hear both this, and the valuable contributions of international students, highlighted at today’s conference. My thanks also to our speakers, Lord Karen Bilimoria of Chelsea CBE DL and Jamie Arrowsmith of UUKi, for their insights.
Professor Shitij Kapur, Vice-Chancellor & President of King's College London
Following the opening plenary, delegates took part in a series of breakout sessions on topics including UK Student Migration Policy and Student Route, Accessing Higher Education, AI and Education, and International Student Wellbeing.
Organised by Embassy Magazine, the 2024 Education Embassy Conference was hosted in the Safra Lecture Theatre at King’s College London. The Event brought together over 150 diplomats from more than 100 countries, providing a platform for networking and sharing best practice.
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Vice-Chancellor & President of King's College London