The Academic Technology Approval Scheme (Atas) was meant to pretect national security. It requires postgraduates from countries outside EEA to be cleared by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) if they apply for 41 “sensitive” subjects. Since its launch last November, 1800 students have been through this system, while there will be more applicants this autumn when the new academic year starts. Some UK universities complaint this increase their administrative burden and the process time is longer than expected. The National Postgraduate Committee (NPC), who are against Atas, say Atas discriminates against certain nationalities, and the idea does not work. Some universities also suggest that the new point-based visa system has not been well prepared.

The Guardian’s Jessica Shepherd reports Vetting gets a mixed reception:

A voluntary vetting scheme in which universities offered information to the Foreign Office preceded Atas. It was, by all accounts, patchy. Only about 30 universities participated. Universities were informed that they should alert the government to students on a list of countries studying certain subjects. “But no one knew where the information given went,” says Laura Kishore, chair of an umbrella group for university admissions staff.

At least this system is open, compulsory and transparent. But does it work? No one has talked in public about it, let alone evaluated it. The Foreign Office says it will do this in May.

Dominic Scott, chief executive of the UK Council for International Student Affairs, says the new system takes longer to clear students than expected.

Read the full report.

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