working in britain? get an MBA

LONDON: Malaysian professionals who hold an MBA from any of 50 British-approved institutions will stand a better chance of working in Britain.

They will automatically get 75 points – the minimum qualifying mark under the point-based system in the Highly-Skilled Migrant Programme (HSMP), which came into force on Dec 5.

The move affects mostly doctors, lawyers, accountants, engineers and entrepreneurs, who must score at least 75 points to cross the HSMP hurdle.

Westminster City Council Chinese liaison officer David Tan said the Home Office had set the new rules and guidelines for the scheme, with the HSMP category designed to attract people with very special skills and who were highly trained and qualified to work in Britain.

Tan said those awarded the MBA from one of the 50 Home Office-approved institutions from December 2004 onwards would be entitled to the 75 instant points.

The full list of approved institutions can be viewed at http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/

[link]