The prominent University of Oxford in Britain revealed on Wednesday that 38 applicants are vying to become the next chancellor. Notably, former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan was not included in the list. This is a big development for the esteemed institution.
Key Contenders for Chancellor
- William Hague – Former Conservative party leader and foreign secretary
- Peter Mandelson – Labour party’s former EU trade commissioner
- Dominic Grieve – Former attorney general
- Elish Angiolini – Principal of St Hugh’s College and leader of the Sarah Everard inquiry
- Jan Royall – Principal of Somerville College and former House of Lords leader
Historic Chancellor Transition
The ceremonial role of chancellor, held continuously since 1224, was left empty in June with the resignation of Chris Patten, who had served in that capacity for 21 years. Elish Angiolini is in line to become the first female chancellor in the 800-year history of the university, therefore the appointment might be historic.
Imran Khan’s Exclusion from the Chancellor Race
The exclusion of Imran Khan, Oxford alumnus and former cricket star-turned-politician, has drawn attention. Khan, who graduated from Oxford in 1975 with a degree in philosophy, politics and economics, had expressed interest in the chancellor position through his party spokesman in August. Currently imprisoned in Pakistan on various charges, Khan’s bid was reportedly evaluated against the university’s “four exclusion criteria,” which include a requirement for candidates to be considered a “fit and proper person” by UK tax authorities.
PTI Response on the Chancellor Candidacy
Syed Zulfi Bukhari, Khan’s adviser on international media, expressed disappointment at the decision, stating,
“This is a loss for Oxford University to present itself as a global trend-setting institution.”
The team has requested clarification from the university regarding the rejection of Khan’s chancellor bid.
Selection Process for the Chancellor Role
There will be two voting rounds to choose the new chancellor, and the results should be known by the week of November 25. Despite being ceremonial, the role has important duties:
- Serves as the titular head of the university
- Presides over key ceremonies
- Undertakes advocacy work
- Provides advisory services
- Leads fundraising initiatives as chancellor
Chancellor Term Limits
In a notable change to traditional protocols, the university has implemented a fixed term limit of 10 years for the incoming chancellor, marking a shift from previous indefinite appointments.
Oxford University faces a critical juncture in its efforts to strike a balance between tradition and the demands of modern governance with the election of the chancellor. The wide range of applicants, which includes well-known academics, legislators, and legal professionals, represents the institution’s changing position in modern higher education.
This election is very important for one of the most famous universities in the world because the winner will not only choose the university’s ceremonial chancellor leadership but also its public face for the next ten years.