Former U.K. Conservative Party leader William Hague has been elected as the new chancellor of Oxford University, a prestigious position in British academia. The 800-year-old university announced Hague's election following an online vote by staff and alumni.
Hague will succeed Chris Patten, the former British governor of Hong Kong, who has held the chancellorship since 2003. Hague emerged victorious in the election, surpassing other notable contenders such as former Labour Cabinet minister Peter Mandelson and Elish Angiolini, the former top law officer in Scotland.
The university disclosed that Hague is set to be inaugurated early next year and will serve a 10-year term. As chancellor, he will act as the university's titular head, presiding over significant ceremonies and overseeing the appointment of the vice-chancellor, who serves as the institution's day-to-day leader.
Hague, an Oxford alumnus, kickstarted his political journey at the Oxford University Conservative Association. He became the leader of the Conservative Party at the age of 36 following the party's loss to Labour in 1997, eventually resigning after the party's substantial defeat in the 2001 election.
Expressing his gratitude, Hague described his election as chancellor, a role with a legacy dating back to the 13th century, as 'the greatest honor of my life.' He emphasized the significance of Oxford's role in shaping the future of the U.K., stating that the university's trajectory over the next decade is crucial to the country's success.
