A new private higher education college that last month finally received official sign-off to educate international students in a world-first electric vehicle technology degree has been told it can enrol zero students in 2025.

Harpreet Kaur, who has spent four years and more than $4 million developing the high-tech college in Brisbane, could not believe her eyes when she received a pro forma letter from the federal Education Department last week that read: “In 2025, the indicative limit for Nova Anglia College Pty Ltd will be 0.”