The University of Oxford announced the final candidates for the chancellor election with three Indian-origin candidates on Wednesday.

Notably, former Pakistan PM Imran Khan who is an Oxford alumni, is out of the race.

The three Indian-origin finalists among 39 others include Ankur Shiv Bhandari, Nirpal Singh Paul Bhangal, and Pratik Tarvadi.

Who is Ankur Bhandari?

The India-origin candidate was the first Asian-origin Councillor and then Mayor of Bracknell Forest Borough Council.

His education includes a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from  Leicester Business School, United Kingdom,  Leicester Business School, United Kingdom. He is also pursuing a master’s degree in Law.

According to his LinkedIn profile, he is an alumnus of Delhi University’s Shaheed Sukhdev College of Business Studies.

Who is Nirpal Singh Paul Bhangal?

Another Indian-origin candidate Bhangal, a professor of international entrepreneurship,  said in his statement of interest, “From meeting and negotiating with World Leaders on stage, to more domestic affairs, to exploring ideas with Oxford students, I have been doing this since 2008.  A previous Vice Chancellor Dr Andrew Hamilton once described me as a future Oxford Leader.”

Who is Pratik Tarvadi?

Tarvadi, a medical expert with an MBBS degree, said, “As Chancellor of the University of Oxford, I would bring a vision of inclusivity, innovation, and global impact.”

The first round of voting will be held on October 28 through an online election, facilitating a global community of colleagues and alumni.

The second round will be held on November 18, as per the official site of Oxford University.