William Hague Named Chancellor of Oxford University

William Hague has been elected as the new Chancellor of the University of Oxford, succeeding Chris Patten and marking the first time a living predecessor has been replaced. The election saw Hague defeat notable candidates such as Peter Mandelson and Dominic Grieve in a competitive race, utilizing an online voting system for the first time. Expressing his commitment to the university, Hague emphasized the importance of raising endowments and maintaining Oxford's values of freedom of speech and accessibility. With a ten-year term ahead, Hague aims to connect with students and uphold Oxford's reputation for world-changing research and innovation. His appointment follows significant institutional changes and reflects Oxford's prestigious status, recently ranking first in the World University Rankings 2024. Hague's background includes a degree in philosophy, politics, and economics from Oxford, and he has previously served as an honorary fellow at Magdalen College.