On Tuesday 29th September, nearly 40 universities around the UK reported a spurt in coronavirus cases, resulting in thousands of students self-isolating and in quarantine ahead of a new term.
With a constant change in Covid-19 guidelines and reports indicating that students may not be allowed to visit their homes during Christmas, many are now demanding that their fees be partially refunded especially as they face financial and academic pressures while coping with Covid-19. The Office for Students, has already indicated that universities would have to seriously consider requests for a partial refund and must not "adopt a blanket policy that refunds are not available". While campaigners have appreciated the assistance provided to local students, they are urging that greater clarity is needed particularly for international students from living alone thousands of miles away from their families.
Student confused over chaotic lockdown messaging
Amit Tiwari is the President of Indian National Student Association (INSA) UK. Speaking about how financial and academic factors will impact the emotional and mental wellbeing of students, he said,
“Fourth months ago, we didn’t know anything about coronavirus. Now, there is a greater clarity in the progression of the virus. But there is tremendous confusion around the messaging of the lockdown and guidelines. There are different rules for different universities in different regions of the UK and focus is on how local students are impacted by changing government guidelines.
“There needs to be more stream-lined assistance and support network for international students especially from the universities. What does no mixing mean? Does it apply only for local families or for students living at university dorms, in private accommodations with families as tenants? A majority of these students who will be pursuing their post-graduation will now be entitled to a two-year post study work visa. That is one of the incentives for many students coming to the UK despite fears of the virus as they want those opportunities to implement their theoretical knowledge into practical experience. But one must calculate the risks of mental well-being especially if you are here on educational loans and hoping to repay them by work experience here. Also, we are weeks ahead of winter when depression is common among local residents. One can imagine the impact all these factors are likely to have on international students who are learning to assimilate with the new culture.”
27-year-old dies, family fundraises for repatriation
Reports estimate that there will be a significant drop in the number of Indian students considering to pursue their post-graduation in the UK owing to fears around the virus. Many have chosen to defer their studies for the next academic year. On the contrary, there is an increase in the number of students joining under-graduate courses. According to the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS), the UK universities have recorded a 9% increase in the number of undergraduate students from outside the UK and the EU. In the meantime, there are some existing students, recent graduates who have found it extremely difficult to weather through the class of Covid-19. On 24th September, 27-year-old Rakesh Jangala passed away due to seizures in his bed at his residence, Manor Park, East London.
He had arrived London in September 2019 to pursue his Masters in Engineering Management, with industrial practice at University of Greenwich. According to his family, Rakesh, son of Venkat Narayana Garu from Khammam, Telangana district started working as a part time delivery boy for AFE agency, Yodel. Following his sudden and unfortunate demise, the family has requested for the repatriation of his body to India. Sources indicate that Rakesh’s family have written to the Indian High Commission who are currently looking into this matter. Meanwhile, they have set up a fundraiser where they have accumulated about £20,000 off the target of £50,000.
Sanam Arora, Chairperson of National Indian Students and Alumni (NISAU) UK said, “We came to know about Rakesh’s unfortunate demise over the weekend and immediately got in touch with the family to inquire about the kind of support that they needed. The family said that they hadn’t heard about the incident from anyone apart from their flatmates and that they wanted his body to be repatriated to his family in India.
“We had written to the University during the weekend and yesterday they informed us that they were looking into the matter and assured that they had appropriate procedures in place to deal with this.”
