This week we had a great evening with Professor Peter Frankpan at the Société de Lecture in Geneva, where we had the opportunity to chat and discuss over tea before his fascinating lecture.

01.04.2025 in Geneva

Many congratulations, Lord Hague, on your election as Chancellor of Oxford University! Lord Hague, who graduated from Magdalen College in 1982, will be formally inaugurated into the predominantly ceremonial role in the new year. Our President, Howard Rosen, was honoured to be one of the first people to congratulate Lord Hague, during his visit today to Zurich, after the announcement of his election. We look forward to welcoming him back to Switzerland in the near future.

On 23^rd October 2024 Sir Nigel gave a Global Lecture on the subject: ”As If Human: Living in the Age of Intelligent Machines”. This Global Lecture will explore AI’s history, current advancements, and the challenges and opportunities presented by todays and future AI systems. Please find HERE the recording.

Christopher Patten, Lord Patten of Barnes, has announced that he will retire as Chancellor of the University of Oxford at the end of the 2023-24 academic year. He has been Chancellor since March 2003.

Lord Patten said: ‘This year, I will have my 80th birthday in May. I hope that there will be many more birthdays to come. But I am unlikely to have another 21 years in the job as Chancellor of the University.

‘I think it is in my own interest and that of the University for me to step down at the end of this academic year, giving the University the opportunity to plan a sensible succession which matches the demands of the 2020s. I say this with a heavy heart, trusting that I will still be able to work for Oxford University (which I love) from time to time.

‘The University of Oxford has been a hugely important part of my life. I think it is true to say that Oxford as a whole made me, not just because of the three happy years I spent there as a student, but because of what Oxford has continued to mean to me over the years right up to the present day.’

Professor Irene Tracey, Vice-Chancellor of the University, said: ‘Over the past 21 years, Lord Patten has been an extraordinarily active and committed Chancellor, engaging in as many as 60 international events per year on the University’s behalf, tirelessly championing Oxford at home and abroad. While his incomparable dedication will be sorely missed by the University, it is entirely understandable that he should want to take a step back at this time, as he approaches his 80th birthday.

‘I am personally grateful for his wise and steadfast support to me as I navigated the transition to becoming VC.

‘On behalf of thousands of alumni, students and staff and the many people whose lives have been changed by the University’s work, I thank Chris, and also his wife Lavender, for their service and wish them well in a richly deserved retirement.’

The University expects to be able to share further information about the next steps soon, as well as to provide opportunities for comments and questions.

About the role of Chancellor

The Chancellor is the titular head of the University and presides over several key ceremonies. The Chancellor chairs the Committee to Elect the Vice-Chancellor. In addition to these formal duties, the Chancellor undertakes advocacy, advisory and fundraising work, acting as an ambassador for the University at a range of national and international events.

The election of the Chancellor

The process and timetable for the election of the Chancellor by members of the University’s Convocation will be announced in due course.

In November 2022 we had two stunning dinner events with our fabulous guest of honour Professor Dr Christopher McKenna who presented the case study “Family Business, Corporate Reputation, and the Evolution of the English Wine Trade”.

The Chancellor of Oxford University, Lord Patten of Barnes, who chaired the Nominating Committee, said: ‘Irene Tracey was born in Oxford and educated at a local comprehensive and Oxford University, for which she has now been proposed as the next Vice-Chancellor. It is an extraordinary story of personal achievement, social mobility and academic excellence. I doubt whether anyone knows more about the University and all its aspects than today’s Warden of Merton. She also, as an internationally recognised scientist, has considerable experience at home and abroad. I am sure she will build successfully on the outstanding achievements of Louise Richardson and lead Oxford in coping with the big challenges which lie ahead.’

Read the full article here.

WELCOMING ST HILDA’S NEW PRINCIPAL

‘What the college stands for is very important to me. Excellence and equality have been significant driving motivations throughout my career.’

Professor Dame Sarah Springman was awarded a DBE for services to engineering and services to international sports administration in the 2022 New Year Honours. Exactly a month later she formally took up her post as the new Principal of St Hilda’s.

READ THE FULL INTERVIEW

https://alumni.ox.ac.uk/article/welcoming-a-new-principal-to-st-hildas