Meet Ryan Ahmad — aspiring candidate running for Oxford University chancellor post

LONDON: A British Asian bartender from east London and a former pupil of Oxford University is one of the many aspirants eying the coveted post of the Oxford University's chancellor, claiming to be better than all others in race.

Ryan Ahmad, who has filed his nomination papers for the varsity's chancellor election and awaits confirmation in October, said he is even better than Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, former UK premier Theresa May, former UK Foreign Secretary William Hague, Labour stalwart Lord Peter Mandelson and Lady Elish Angiolini, a distinguished lawyer and former solicitor general of Scotland. Many leading names have, however, recently said they will not be standing.

In an interview to Geo News, the young aspiring candidate whose family comes from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh said: "I understand local and international issues better. I am the most suited person. I have experience of working. I have a bit of better understanding and standpoint on the issues than all others and I am the master of my own destiny, liberal, independent and inclusive.”

Ahmad is working from home these days on a “few local and international projects” so to devote more time to his campaigning, which shows how seriously he is taking the upcoming elections which will be held for the first time ever online, giving opportunity to those registered from the over 250,000 eligible voters to choose a suitable candidate to head one of the most reputed universities of the world.

When asked about the realistic chance of his success in the election race given his candidacy alongside some big names including British politicians Peter Mandelson, William Hague, Elish Angiolini, Imran Khan and others, Ahmad said: "It all depends on how much traction and publicity I can get.

Ahmad, who has complained about not getting coverage following his candidacy for the post in comparison to others in the race, maintained that the other candidates do not have the experience that he does. He said he will find out in early October if his papers have been accepted or not but he will be rejected only if "there’s a hatchet job" — a hint at a grand conspiracy against him by the powers that be.

Ahmad claims he can bring change by becoming the chancellor of Oxford University.

"I studied Politics, Philosophy and Economics (PPE) at Oxford because I have been motivated to change people’s lives, in a world where everyone will live happily and equally, no matter where you come from and what you believe in. Power dynamics and power politics abound the world over," he said, adding that some people play by the rules while others don't.

Ahmad is undaunted and says he will not withdraw in anyone’s support if nominated in the approved list of candidates. “The only person I could withdraw for, in favour, is the former govt minister Rory Stewart but he has ruled out his candidacy and there is no one else for me to consider,” he said.

The young candidate, who has a history of being part of community projects, is in the race of the top position at Oxford alongside major names including that of Khan who, while being behind bars in Rawalpindi's Adiala jail, submitted his nomination papers at the varsity.

PTI's incarcerated founder said the university helped him in his early years and he wanted to "give back".

"I am committed to giving back to the world the resilience, determination and integrity that life has taught me, even when the odds are stacked against me," stated the former prime minister.

However, the move drew backlash with the university sources confirming that its office has received several emails raising concerns about Khan's nomination owing to his support for the Taliban in the past as well as the corruption cases against him.

Voting takes place on October 28. The new chancellor is likely to be there for at least 20 years and must be available at all times.