Oxford University is facing an unprecedented bid for its Chancellorship by Imran Khan, the former Prime Minister of Pakistan, currently serving a prison sentence in his home country. Despite being incarcerated, Mr Khan has submitted an application to contest the election set for October, with his adviser confirming the move.
Mr Khan's political career spans decades: he led Pakistan as Prime Minister from 2018 to 2022 and founded the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party in 1996. His premiership ended after a vote of no confidence, and he has been imprisoned for over a year on various charges.
A surprise twist is that Oxford's recent regulations allowing online nominations and voting have made it possible for candidates like Mr Khan to stand despite their physical absence from the university. This change was introduced to streamline the process and accommodate those unable to travel.
Mr Khan's bid has sparked interest, given his eight-year tenure as Chancellor of the University of Bradford and his own Oxford alumnus status, where he studied Politics, Philosophy, and Economics at Keble College in the 1970s. Notably, he was a cricketing star during his time there, later captaining Pakistan's men's team to World Cup victory in 1992.
The election closed on Sunday, but Oxford University has yet to confirm individual candidates until an early October publication of a final list. Other notable figures are said to be vying for the position, including Elish Angiolini and Margaret Casely-Hayford, who could become Oxford's first female Chancellor if elected.