A new initiative has been launched to address the growing employment concerns of Indian students in the United Kingdom, who constitute the largest group of international students in the country. The Indian National Students Employability Council (INSEC) was formally introduced during the India-UK Student Leadership Summit held at the Houses of Parliament complex in London.
Addressing Employment Barriers Head-On
The collaboration between the Indian National Students Association (INSA) UK and AI-powered platform Creoo marks a significant step toward solving what students describe as persistent employment discrimination. Despite the UK's Graduate Route visa allowing international students to work for up to 18 months after graduation, many Indian students report facing outright rejections or complete silence from employers.
"What is the point of doing studies here when I do not even get a response to my application from the employer? That is what students are asking," revealed Amit Tiwari, INSA UK National President. His comments highlight the frustration among the estimated 166,000 Indian students currently studying in Britain.
From Discussion to Action
INSEC positions itself as a solution-oriented body rather than just another discussion forum. Ayesha Goyal, Founder and CEO of Creoo, emphasized this distinction, stating, "In the last 18 months alone, over 36 panels have discussed international students, yet students report little tangible improvement. INSEC is not another panel, it is a commitment that starts today."
The council has outlined concrete plans including a National Career Roadshow across prestigious institutions like the London School of Economics (LSE), University College London (UCL), and King's College London. Additionally, INSEC will conduct the first comprehensive UK-wide study on 'Indian Student Outcomes' early next year.
Political Support and Future Vision
The summit gained significant political backing, being opened by Labour MP Navendu Mishra, who serves on the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Indo-British relations. Mishra highlighted the timing of this initiative, noting "This year marks a crucial year for India-UK relationship. After 10 years of dialogue, the current government has finalised the UK-India trade deal," referencing the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) established during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's UK visit in July.
Lord Krish Raval, House of Lords peer and chair of the Labour Indians diaspora group, encouraged students to leverage their unique position, saying "You are in such a privileged position, compared to your counterparts here and in India. You have the ability to make the best of both worlds."
Looking ahead, INSA UK has confirmed it is actively engaging with the High Commission of India and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) to advocate for government-led employer education programs. The goal is to ensure Indian students receive equal treatment in the UK job market, transforming the promise of the Graduate Route visa into tangible employment opportunities.
