Voice of Insaf Desk:
Professor Osama S. M. Khan will be the next Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of the University of South Wales. He will be the first Bangladeshi-born person to run a public institution in the United Kingdom (UK).
A tough worldwide hiring process led to the selection of Professor Khan, who is currently the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) at Aston University. He will take over for Dr. Ben Calvert and is expected to be in charge of the university’s strategic work in digital innovation and academic achievement.
Several British universities have previously named Bangladeshis to the honorary position of Chancellor, but this is the first time a Bangladeshi has been the Vice-Chancellor, the person in charge of the university. In the UK, the Chancellor is mostly a ceremonial role, whereas the Vice-Chancellor is in charge of running the school and overseeing its academics. Some well-known Bangladeshis who are chancellors are Professor Muhammad Yunus, who won the Nobel Prize, at Glasgow Caledonian University and human rights lawyer Irene Khan at the University of Salford.
picture: Prof. Osama with his family
People consider Professor Khan’s appointment as a big step forward. He went to school in Bangladesh for both his early and higher education. He then started an academic career in the UK’s mainstream higher education sector. His ascension to executive leadership is seen as proof of his scholarship, professional skill, and long-term dedication.
A Great Academic Journey of Prof. Osama
Professor Khan started his academic career from Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB).He went on to get his master’s degree from the University of Surrey and the Judge Business School at the University of Cambridge.
Before becoming a professor, he worked in investment banking and corporate finance in the Middle East and South Asia for several years. This expertise has influenced how he teaches, designs curricula, and uses academic tactics that focus on getting students jobs.
Professor Khan has worked in UK higher education for more than 25 years. He was the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Academic) at the University of Surrey and the Director of Learning and Teaching at Solent University. He has been a key player in carrying out Aston University’s Aston 2030 Strategy, especially in the areas of digital transformation and developing students’ abilities. His appointment is an important milestone for both academic leadership and the growing number of Bangladeshis in UK higher education.
