Imran Khan no more in race of Oxford University's chancellorship
Pakistan
Khan, who is an Oxford alumni, is currently serving out his sentence in Adiala Jail
LONDON (Web Desk) - Former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan has not been included in the list of candidates vying for chancellorship of the prestigious Oxford University.
The university has issued a list of 38 candidates competing for the office of Oxford University’s chancellor.
Imran, who is an Oxford alumni himself, is currently serving out his sentence in Adiala Jail.
The office of chancellor is symbolic and ceremonial.
The vacancy of chancellor of the University of Oxford was open following the resignation of 80-year-old Lord Patten, the former governor of Hong Kong and Tory Party chairman, who held the post for 21 years.
Election for the coveted post of University of Oxford’s chancellor would take place on Oct 28.
The result would be announced on Nov 25.
It must be noted that several other high-profile figures including two former British PMs Boris Johnson and Tony Blair were earlier also eyeing the coveted slot.
Also Read: Imprisoned Imran Khan to run for Oxford University chancellor slot
Imran Khan's association with Oxford University is very old, but for the very first time, he was running for the office of chancellor of this historic and renowned university.
He studied politics, economics and philosophy from the University of Oxford in 1972 and took charge of the university’s cricket team in 1974.
Khan obtained a degree in Politics, Philosophy and Economics (PPE) from Keble College in the University of Oxford.
Earlier, Imran Khan remained the Chancellor of Bradford University from 2005 to 2014.
A UK publication claimed that the university was receiving emails against Khan, contesting that the former premier is ineligible for the top post of the university. It said there was resentment within the institution about Imran Khan's nomination.
Read More: Oxford University receives emails against Imran Khan's nomination as chancellor
Meanwhile, a petition was filed in the University of Oxford against the PTI founder by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) overseas worker Khurram Butt.
Butt, in his petition, mentioned the ongoing Al-Qadir Trust case against Khan as a basis to remove his name from the nomination of the university.
Oxford Alumni Pakistan opposes use of Oxford’s name for political gains
Meanwhile, the Oxford Alumni Pakistan announced their opposition to the use of Oxford’s name for political gains.
In a statement, the alumni categorically denied any claim suggesting that as a forum they supported or opposed any specific candidate in the Chancellor Elections.
“We have not issued any statements endorsing any candidate. The statements circulating in the media are not representative of our collective voice and we emphasise that no such public endorsements or oppositions have been made concerning any candidate,” said the statement.
“We believe that the University of Oxford, with its centuries old tradition of excellence, has well established systems in place to manage the Chancellor Elections impartially, in accordance with its rules and regulations”.
The Oxford Alumni Community of Pakistan comprises individuals from diverse backgrounds and political ideologies. The decision to vote in the Chancellor Elections is a matter for Oxford’s current students, registered and eligible alumni and faculty members.
“As proud alumni of this esteemed institution, we believe that the university remains a place where intellectual rigour and values prosper and we want to infuse that into Pakistan. We have confidence that the University of Oxford will manage the Chancellor Election process with fairness, independence, integrity and in adherence to its guiding principles,” said the statement.
We remain committed to upholding the values that University of Oxford represents and we ask to respect the impartiality of this prestigious institution and its alumni forums, it added.
