Imperial’s President has challenged the government to make post-study work visas central to planned immigration reforms.

Writing in the Daily Telegraph, Professor Alice Gast welcomed the Prime Minister’s abolition of the cap on Tier 1 Exceptional Talent Visas – a move Imperial has campaigned for – which will make access to the UK easier for international scientists.

The government should do the same for entrepreneurial talent, especially international graduates in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, President Gast said.

President Alice Gast wrote: “British higher education should be much more than just a successful export. According to the Entrepreneurs Network, 49 per cent of Britain’s 100 fastest-growing start-ups have at least one immigrant co-founder, while of our 14 billion-dollar start-ups nine have at least one foreign-born co-founder. New post-study work visas for all Stem graduates would help to retain these brilliant minds.”

The full letter can be read in today’s Daily Telegraph.