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UK checks for nuclear physics students
LONDON, Feb 6(Dawn): Pakistani postgraduates studying nuclear physics and
biochemistry in Britain will face tough new security checks to prevent them
gaining knowledge that could be used in the proliferation of nuclear
arms.
This would be an 'overhaul' of the present voluntary vetting
scheme, where some universities agree to report students who arouse suspicion or
those from such countries as Pakistan and Israel.
The government plans to
make it compulsory now for every postgraduate from outside the European Union to
undergo the tough new screening system, regardless of what country they are
from.
"We do not want students who come to the UK to gain knowledge going
home and using it as part of a nuclear weapons programme," said a Foreign Office
official.
"Overseas students from outside the EU who are pursuing courses
will have to go through proper security vetting to check their credentials," he
added.
The system would scrutinise why they were coming here and what
they studied before.
If they were thought to be risky, their visa
applications would be blocked, the official said.
The new Academic
Technology Approval Scheme will also be used to ensure students do not overstay
their visas.
The Foreign Office said the subjects to be targeted include
physics, metallurgy, microbiology, biophysics and electrical, chemical and
mechanical engineering.
David Allen, chair of the Association of Heads of
University Administration, told the Research Fortnight newspaper that he broadly
welcomed the change.
He said: "We do not want students to go to the US
and Australia while they are waiting to hear from the UK."
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