'˜Sheffield welcomes international students'

Sheffield University Students' Union President Dom Trendall, Richard Wright of the Chamber of Commerce, Sheffield Hallam Students' Union President Emily Wilkes and Sheffield College Students' Union President ?James Bangert.

A statement highlighting the city’s commitment to international students was issued at the national conference of the UK Council for International Student Affairs in Sheffield last week.

Richard Wright, executive director of Sheffield Chamber of Commerce, presented the pledge to Students’ Union leaders from both universities and Sheffield College.

He said: “Sheffield is a great city for many reasons but we are justly proud of the number of international students who choose to study at our universities and colleges.

“They obviously contribute massively to our economy but, equally importantly, they enrich our lives.

“We wish to be an international and cosmopolitan city and our international students are massively important in that journey. They are more than welcome.”

The statement, which highlights how international students act as ambassadors for the city, has been signed by Mr Wright on behalf of the Chamber, the vice chancellors of both universities, the chief of Sheffield College, the city’s six MPs, the leader and chief executive of Sheffield Council, the Welcome to Yorkshire chief, South Yorkshire’s police and crime commissioner and the chief of Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

Dom Trendall, president of the University of Sheffield’s Students’ Union, said: “We believe that it is this diversity that makes university an exciting place to go.

“Both the University and the Students’ Union are committed to welcoming students from all around the world because we believe that we are international.”

Emily Wilkes, president of Sheffield Hallam University’s Students’ Union, said: “We are proud that international students come to our institution to gain an education, and we appreciate their contribution to our diverse city.”