Why I'm running for Chancellor of Cambridge University

Mr and Mrs Azeem at Formal Hall

The world is rapidly evolving - politically, technologically, and socially. With that change comes challenge and opportunity. Cambridge must look to its future rather than its past, and as someone with a track record in transformation, this is where I can help.

I am an unlikely candidate to study at Cambridge let alone be its Chancellor. As a boy I was made homeless, living at a women’s shelter with my mother and sister. My world changed overnight, but Cambridge saved me. I made a promise to champion change and always give my all.

Since then I have built a career advising CEOs, politicians, and global institutions on how to create impact: from boosting economic growth as a policy advisor to the Treasury; to tackling youth violence as a charity trustee; to speeding up vaccine roll-outs as an award winning consultant.

I want to use my personal and professional experiences to see Cambridge’s potential unleashed. As its Chancellor, I will look to do this through three guiding principles:

1. Fairness - Pursuing inclusive excellence to attract the greatest minds irrespective of background. This is not only the right thing to do, it is also what makes the university a success. To do this properly requires us to consider diversity that’s harder to see. Why are white working class boys less likely to enter higher education, and what makes autistic students more likely to drop out? I mentor applicants from low-income areas, and recently launched an initiative to support neurodiverse students at the university. As Chancellor I will build on this, ensuring our outreach is robust and better funded.

2. Freedom - Protecting dialogue and speech, especially when it’s difficult to hear. Freedom begins with protecting speech, but must extend to promoting dialogue. We have to move our University away from being an echo chamber, and instead foster debate and consensus building on complex topics. I’ve seen how this can go wrong from my time in Westminster. It’s a challenge of culture, which needs a more human first approach, Getting this right impacts both home and abroad. With alums from countries like China, Germany, and Singapore, the minds we inspire will go on to shape the wider world.

3. Flourishment - Ensuring Cambridge fosters growth in a fast changing world. Cambridge has a unique opportunity to be at the heart of the next wave in innovation, rivalling the US. This requires bringing together the university with investors and central government, all areas I have experience with. As a leader in technology and policy, I have spoken about this at a recent TEDx Talk, and will continue to be a vocal champion for unlocking potential through technology.

I stand for a fair, free and flourishing Cambridge. If you do too, then I ask you to stand with me. I made the opportunity that Cambridge gave me count, and I will make this Chancellorship count too.

That is why I make you this promise: If you give me your vote, I will give you my all.

- Ali