LONDON: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) supremo Imran Khan has not yet applied to contest for the position of chancellor at Oxford University but his adviser Zulfi Bukhari has said that Khan has approved the contest plan.
Sayed Zulfi Bukhari, Imran Khan’s adviser on International Affairs, told Geo News that Imran Khan has confirmed that he will stand to contest for the position of chancellor at Oxford University, a nominal position, but there are several issues involved including the accessibility one due to the fact that Khan is in Adiala Jail and serving a jail term.
A spokesman at the University of Oxford’s Vice-Chancellor’s office confirmed Imran Khan has not yet applied but several other candidates have put in their papers. The office said in a statement, “Candidates for the election of the Chancellor will be made public in early October.”
If Imran Khan wins the contest, it will mark a new chapter in Oxford’s history as only last month Oxford University student from Balochistan Israr Kakar won the Oxford Union Presidency, making history as the third Pakistani and the first person from Balochistan to achieve this honour. The application deadline is 18 August, the University confirmed.
Sayed Zulfi Bukhari said that he has instructed the lawyers to start the paperwork to apply for the seat at Oxford University, which has become vacant following the resignation of 80-year-old Lord Patten, who stepped down after 21 years in the role. Former prime ministers Sir Tony Blair and Boris Johnson are also among the candidates to become the university’s chancellor.
Imran Khan studied Economics and Politics at Keble College, Oxford in 1972, and also captained the university’s cricket team. He debuted for Pakistan’s Test cricket team in 1971 and served as the chancellor of Bradford University from 2005 to 2014.
Oxford University describes the chancellor’s role as a ceremonial head, typically an eminent public figure elected for life, presiding over all major ceremonies. The election process for the new chancellor will be conducted online for the first time in the University’s history.
This will be the first time the chancellor elections will be held online, instead of the traditional process requiring graduates to attend in full academic dress. The position typically goes to university graduates, often politicians. The electorate consists of approximately 250,000 eligible voters.
Khan faces competition from former prime ministers Sir Tony Blair and Boris Johnson, making the competition tough.
Those eligible to vote in the Chancellor’s election will be limited only to members of Convocation, comprising graduates of Oxford who have had their degree conferred, members of congregation and retired members of staff who were members of Congregation on their date of retirement.
The University is seeking candidates who can demonstrate outstanding achievements in their field and the ability to command respect beyond it; a deep appreciation for the University’s research and academic mission, its global community, and its ambition to remain a world class research and teaching university; and the ability and willingness to enhance the reputation of the University locally, nationally and abroad.
Israr Kakar, the Oxford Union President, told Geo News, “This is a great opportunity for prominent Pakistani alumni to engage with the University and bring Pakistan into the spotlight.
While the competition will be tough, it would be a great honour for Pakistan to have such representation.”