Former leader of the U.K. Conservative Party, William Hague, has been appointed as the new chancellor of Oxford University, a distinguished role within British higher education. The announcement was made by the institution on Wednesday, indicating that Hague was chosen through an online vote involving the university’s staff and alumni, reflecting the democratic ethos of the respected institution.
Hague succeeds Chris Patten, who has served in this prestigious role since 2003 and was the last British governor of Hong Kong. In the election process, Hague outperformed other candidates such as Peter Mandelson, a former Labour Cabinet minister, and Elish Angiolini, who previously held the position of Scotland’s top law official.
The inauguration of Hague is scheduled for early next year, marking the beginning of his ten-year term. In his capacity as chancellor, he will serve as the ceremonial head of the university, presiding over important events and overseeing the selection process for the vice-chancellor, who manages the university’s daily operations.
Hague, an alum of Oxford University, began his political journey within the Oxford University Conservative Association. He rose to the position of Conservative leader at the age of 36 after the party’s loss in the 1997 elections, although he stepped down following a significant defeat in the 2001 elections.
Upon his selection, Hague expressed that being elected chancellor is “the greatest honor of my life,” adding that the developments at Oxford over the next decade will be crucial to the U.K.’s future success. His remarks emphasize the significance of the role and the potential influence he hopes to have on the university’s trajectory.
