The great university challenge

by LORD KARAN BILIMORIA Crossbench peer

UK UNIVERSITIES will continue to be open to the international community and the UK will continue to attract talented students, researchers and graduates from across the world in spite of Brexit.

Our universities which, along with those in the US, are the best in the world, play an invaluable role in our economy and in attracting the best people to the UK and will not be deterred by the vote.

India, along with the US, is one of the UK’s top two global allies, and the Indian diaspora in the UK is by far our most successful immigrant community, reaching the top in every field.

Just last year, Sir Venki Ramakrishnan, the Nobel Prize winner and fellow of Trinity College Cambridge, who is of Indian origin, was elected president of the Royal Society, one of the greatest honours that can be conferred by the scientific community. Whether it is in science, arts, business or public life, Indians excel in the UK and are an important part of British life.

UK manufacturing and many other sectors see Indian companies and investment as vital to innovation, training and collaboration. The UK has by far the largest share of inward investment in the EU, but already I fear this crucial part of our national economy is under threat after Brexit.

Unless we work fast to bring an end to the political upheaval, the UK will be seen as a less certain destination for inward investment by India, the US and other key partners.