PETALING JAYA: Six Malaysian students in Britain face possible deportation after their tertiary institution had its visa licence revoked.

The UK Border Agency (UKBA) on Wednesday withdrew the London Metropolitan University's (LMU) licence to sponsor visas for international students from outside the European Union.

Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the decision would affect all non-EU students enrolled at the university.

“The authorities there found that the university had misused its power to recruit international students, so its licence was withdrawn.

“We have asked Education Malaysia London to get more details from the university,” he told The Star.

Under Britain's visa rules, all non-EU students at LMU will have 60 days to either gain entry at other institutions or get out of the country.

LMU vice-chancellor Prof Malcolm Gillies, in a statement posted on the university's website, said they would be working with the UKBA, the National Union of Students and its own students' union to resolve the matter.

“The university has set up a help centre to support and advise students,” he said.

The Sunday Times reported that an audit by the UKBA found that some students studying at LMU were without valid visas.

The audit also found that the university failed to report non-attendance of international students as well as adequately assess students' academic ability and English proficiency.

Prof Gillies said the UKBA had initially suspended the university's visa licence on July 16 over fears that “a small minority” of overseas students did not have accurate immigration documention.

“For the last six weeks we have repeatedly tried to liaise with the UKBA to further understand their concerns, which seem to be focused on processes related to the legacy of the previous management.

“Disappointingly, the UKBA has been unwilling to communicate with the university, despite the growing £10mil-plus (RM49.54mil-plus) hole their action has already left on our balance sheet,” Prof Gillies claimed.

United Kingdom and Eire Council of Malaysian Students chairman Ahamd Syawal Hafriz Abdullah said the decision was unfair to international students “who have put faith in the institution.”

“It leaves the current and incoming students unsettled and it may also create panic and potential heartbreak for international students throughout the country.

“Hopefully this issue will be resolved immediately since the new academic term is starting soon,” he said.

Britain's Universities Minister David Willetts said a task force had been set up to help genuine students affected by the decision, adding that it would start work immediately.

• CIMB Research raises Perisai target price to RM2
• Billionaire Icahn seeks US$16bil Dell share buyback
• CIMB Research upgrades Malaysia’s Small Cap sector to Outperform
• Microsoft says it freed millions of computers worldwide from criminal botnet
• Kandinsky work sold for for US$21mil but misses the mark
• Singapore pressures Indonesia to identify firms behind haze
• Malaysia-Kuwait tie-up to boost Islamic finance training
• Fitch Affirms Genting and Genting Singapore at 'A-'/ Stable
• Wall St. extends rise, investors see no change in Fed policy
• Angelina Jolie stunt double sues News Corp over hacking
• Malaysia-Market factors to watch on June 19(Wednesday)
• EPF being courted by mid-cap companies
• Astro aims to boost user base to 3.6 million by year-end
• 1MDB hopes to raise RM3.2bil from power assets IPO
• MAHB sets May 2, 2014 as KLIA2 revised opening date

• West Africa has world's worst piracy rate
• Congolese teacher admits killing elephants for ivory: WWF
• NASA enlists public in hunt for major asteroids

• FedEx eyes record win at Wimbledon
• Brazilian Massa looking ahead to team’s revival
• V Shem-Khim Wah face tough opener in Singapore Open
• Springboks’ De Villiers may miss final
• Results worldwide
• Former world junior champ Zulfadli in main draw
• Star Wallaby winger fit to face Lions
• Hesson laments NZ’s failure to grab chance
• Omega Pharma pin Tour hopes on Mark
• Shahidan needs Cabinet nod to hold posts, says Khairy
• Direct flight now to Naypyitaw for Malaysian SEA Games squad
• Aussie Kulacz hopes to repeat 2009 Selangor Masters triumph
• India’s Anirban relying on short putter for success
• Iain steels himself for a good show at Seri Selangor
• Justin’s win inspires English golfers

• Please wait.

• Why the suit and tie?
• Fitch Affirms Genting and Genting Singapore at 'A-'/ Stable
• MAHB sets May 2, 2014 as KLIA2 revised opening date
• Relatives want Batang Kali memorial
• 2014 Budget set for Oct 25
• Boy nabbed for buying air rifles
• Build structures to deal with tough conditions
• Practise safety at construction sites
• U.N. recommends bringing Iraq closer to ending 1990s sanctions
• Lucky draw after intense workout