Student Visa Ban Will Shut the Door on Talent

In a recent letter published by The Guardian, Professor Ngaire Woods, founding dean of the Blavatnik School of Government at the University of Oxford, warned that the UK government’s decision to halt study visas for students from Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar, and Sudan risks excluding future leaders whose experience and expertise are vital to their communities and to the wider world. She argues that universities play an important role in equipping talented students to address complex public challenges and that international learning strengthens both institutions and societies. The letter highlights graduates who have gone on to contribute in fields including girls’ education, public health, and independent journalism, underscoring the broader civic value of access to higher education. Read the full letter here.