June 2005 - Lead Story

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Imran Khan appointed as Chancellor

The University of Bradford has appointed cricketing legend turned politician Imran Khan as its new Chancellor.

Imran will succeed Baroness Betty Lockwood on her retirement on 31 July 2005 as the University's fifth Chancellor since its foundation in 1966.

Baroness Lockwood (left) and (right) Vice-Chancellor, Chris Taylor, welcomes Imran Khan to his new role as a recent meeting in London.

Chair of the University's Council, Martin Bousfield, said: "We are delighted that such an internationally renowned figure has agreed to be our next Chancellor. The University is looking forward with great pleasure to welcoming him at his installation later this year and to the contribution that he will make when in office."

Vice-Chancellor, Professor Chris Taylor, said: "Through his achievements and endeavours, Imran Khan embodies the interest and style of the University and continues a Bradford tradition of distinguished Chancellors. He will be a role model for young people in the University and City, he will strengthen our links with South Asia and he will be a valuable bridge between east and west."

Imran Khan recently met with Mr Bousfield and Professor Taylor to discuss his forthcoming role as Chancellor. He said: "It is an extra special honour to be asked to be Chancellor of the University of Bradford and I am looking forward to my connection with the city.

"I am very proud to have been asked to take on this ceremonial role. Unfortunately, I rarely come back to the UK these days but coming back to Bradford is something I am looking forward to."

"University equips you for the rest of your life. It benefited me so much and it's a wonderful way of gaining knowledge. We have already started the construction of a university in my constituency, which I hope will become a centre of excellence in the country, hopefully with the help of the University of Bradford."

Imran Khan was born in 1952 in Lahore, Pakistan. He was selected to play for the Pakistan cricket team in 1970 and very soon made a permanent place for himself in the national side.

He went on to study Economics and Politics at Keble College, Oxford in 1972, where former Prime Minister of Pakistan, Benazir Bhutto, was his classmate.

During the Seventies he became a world-class all-rounder and was declared international cricketer of the year in 1989-90 - leading Pakistan to numerous victories all over the world, and clinching the World Cup in 1992.

Imran Khan retired from cricket in 1992 and moved into Pakistani politics in 1996, launching the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (the Pakistani Justice Movement).

In 1996 he opened the Shaukat Khanum Memorial Trust (SKMT) Cancer Hospital in memory of his mother who had suffered from the disease. Today SKMT is one of the leading institutions for free cancer treatment in the world and has received international recognition.

Imran also supports UNICEF as a Special Representative. He has used his international profile in cricket to support health and immunization programmes in Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Thailand.

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15 June 2005

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