A Nigerian PhD student, Sue Agazie, has been awarded £5,000 in compensation after Newcastle University admitted mishandling parts of her complaint.
Agazie studies were disrupted by illness and a breakdown in her relationship with her supervisor. In addition to the compensation, she will receive a tuition fee refund of £13,286 and have rent arrears of £5,521 waived.
The compensation follows Agazie’s complaint, supported by the migrant student action group Unis Resist Border Controls (URBC), which was filed in February. Agazie, who moved to the UK with her husband and child in January 2023, had enrolled at Newcastle University Business School on the understanding that she would receive a full scholarship or part-time work to cover her living costs. However, neither materialized, leaving her with considerable debts.
In September 2023, Agazie was diagnosed with kidney failure, requiring medical treatment to survive. The university’s decision to contact the Home Office about her immigration status added to her stress. URBC described the university’s acknowledgment of its failure to care for Agazie as a “landmark admission of responsibility.”
Newcastle University admitted that there had been a breakdown in the supervisor-supervisee relationship, particularly during the period when Agazie lacked a second supervisor. The university also acknowledged the stress caused by demands for tuition and accommodation payments while Agazie was ill.
Although the university followed correct procedures in other areas, it apologized for the additional anxiety caused by sending separate financial communications at the same time. The committee recommended that the university’s payment requests be reviewed to be more compassionate.
In her response, Agazie said, “While I am glad that Newcastle University admitted their wrongdoings, I hope that other international students can learn from my case and stand up against the weaponization of their student visas and demand fair treatment.”
The case highlights the challenges faced by international students, particularly those from marginalized and disabled backgrounds. URBC founder Sanaz Raji pointed out the barriers that migrant students face in filing complaints, fearing that their student visas could be used against them.
Agazie, who has since left the university, is now fighting to remain in the UK on compassionate medical grounds for herself and her dependents.
