| Description | Minutes of meetings of a committee with oversight of overseas students studying at the University of Birmingham and for the administration of introductory courses provided for them
It met on an annual basis and reported to Senate. It is first mentioned in University Calendars for the 1949-1950 academic session, though the earliest meeting for which minutes survive in the University Archives was held in July 1955. The last meeting for which minutes survive took place on 27 November 1969. The committee is not listed in the 1970-1971 University Calendar, so it is likely that it was then abolished, though the minutes do not record any decision about the future of the committee. However, from 1974 to its final meeting in 1985, many of the functions of this committee were being fulfilled by the Committee on Overseas Affairs (see UB/COM/96)
Membership consisted of Vice-Chancellor (chair), later Deputy Principal (chair); Dr Bolton (University Medical Officer); Miss Teverson (Lodgings Warden); and members of academic and administrative staff, including Admissions Tutors for each of the Faculties. It was proposed in December 1958 that a representative of the Faculty of Law; the Tutor in English for Foreign Students; and the Director of Studies for the Introductory Course for Overseas Students should also be added to the committee
Minutes typically provide statistical information giving the number of overseas students studying at Birmingham for each academic year from 1955/1956 to 1969/1970 and include details about the students' country of origin, number of applicants, number accepted, and the number who withdrew from course of study. Figures are for both undergraduate and postgraduate students, and information is often divided by Faculty. The minutes record discussion by the committee of this statistical information and the action to be taken in response. There are also lists of overseas students living permanently in the United Kingdom, and these give names, nationality, gender, University residence, category of study, and the name of agency funding studies. This list was compiled by the University of Birmingham for the Association of Universities of the British Commonwealth. These are the only tables where the names of individual students are routinely given, though individual students asked to withdraw are also listed from the 1960s. Other statistical information includes final examination results obtained by overseas students
The minutes contain references to the Guild of Students Reception Scheme for overseas students arriving in Birmingham; the role of the Adviser to Overseas Students; issues affecting overseas students including language difficulties, reasons for withdrawal, difficulties in finding accommodation, financial difficulties, and the possible use of student admission by individuals intending to come to the country for work. They also provide information about the structure of the introductory course for overseas students and teaching techniques; regulations affecting overseas students, and circumstances for overseas students on government contracts when there was apparent concern expressed by committee members about adverse effects on students' work and wellbeing
Reports of the Tutor in English to Overseas Students are included from 1960 onwards, as well asthe Report of the Director of Studies on the Introductory Course for Overseas Students
Minutes of the meeting held on 27 November 1961 include a printed copy of Political and Economic Planning Volume XXVII November 1961 entitled 'Indian University Students in Britain' as well as a copy of a Memorandum containing comments by Admissions Tutors from the different Faculties on difficulties experienced in determining the total number of overseas students newly admitted at the start of an academic session
Minutes of the meeting held on 30 November 1967 include comment on the NUS report on Overseas Students entitled 'International Community' focusing on the report's findings including study difficulties faced by overseas students, and the integration of overseas students with student community; and these concerns were referred to a new committee set up to advise the Director of Studies of the Introductory Course for Overseas Students in revising and adapting the Introductory Course programme
Minutes of meetings held in the late 1960s include copies of the programme of activities for the Introductory Course for Students from Overseas
Minutes of the meeting held on 27 November 1969 include a copy of the Report of the Guild of Undergraduates Commission on the Introductory Course for Overseas Students, addressing the aims and content of the course, and suggesting changes to its structure and organisation, with recommended changes and comments on the views of overseas students about the course, and including a paper on the difficulties faced by overseas students studying in Birmingham including racial discrimination and social and emotional problems |