Human rights lawyer and anti-racism campaigner Aamer Anwar says he is honoured to have been nominated for the role of rector of the University of Glasgow.
The former Glasgow University student has been put forward by a group of students who say they want the university to have a progressive, working rector.
Mr Anwar is probably Scotland's most well-known lawyer following his work on a number of recent high-profile cases including representing the family of murdered waiter Surjit Singh Chhokar who won justice after a 17-year campaign.
As a student at Glasgow he campaigned against racial discrimination at the city’s Dental School and for the introduction of anonymous marking in all faculties.
Since then he has also campaigned for the closure of the Dungavel immigration detention centre and, most recently, expressed his support for the Time for Inclusive Education (TIE) campaign to promote improved teaching of LGBTI issues in schools.
Last year he was himself subjected to death threats from extremists after he spoke out following the religiously motivated murder of Shawlands shopkeeper Asad Shah.
Aamer Anwar said: "I’m honoured to be nominated for Rector of Glasgow University.
"Glasgow’s students deserve a working rector who’ll stand up for their interests – campaigning for more affordable student housing, better access to mental health counselling services and to protect the status of EU students and staff.
"I’m looking forward to speaking to students over the coming weeks about how as a working rector I can help make their voices heard, and ensure that Glasgow remains a welcoming and inclusive environment for all students, regardless of their race, nationality, sexuality or gender."
Justine McCluskey, one of the students who has nominated Aamer, said: "We’re delighted that Aamer has agreed to stand for Rector. We know that he’ll be a strong voice for Glasgow’s students.
"With students facing increasing rents, lengthy waiting lists for counselling services and the uncertainty of Brexit, we need a working rector now more than ever.
"This election also gives Glasgow students a welcome opportunity to demonstrate our University and our city’s progressive credentials – and to oppose the tide of racist right-wing populism taking hold across Europe and the United States."
Canadian psychologist Jordan Peterson, a professor at the University of Toronto, has also been nominated for the role
which is currently held by data campaigner Edward Snowden.
Aamer Anwar, human rights lawyer:
"I’m honoured to be nominated for Rector of Glasgow University.
"Glasgow’s students deserve a working rector who’ll stand up for their interests – campaigning for more affordable student housing, better access to mental health counselling services and to protect the status of EU students and staff.
"I’m looking forward to speaking to students over the coming weeks about how as a working rector I can help make their voices heard, and ensure that Glasgow remains a welcoming and inclusive environment for all students, regardless of their race, nationality, sexuality or gender."
Prof Peterson sparked controversy last year over his refusal to use “manufactured” words for members of the transgender community just because they were perceived to be politically correct.
He is an outspoken opponent of “safe spaces” on campuses and believes that “radical ideologues” are threatening free speech through attempts to control language.
Previous rectors have included comedian Greg Hemphill, the late politician Charles Kennedy, Winnie Mandela and the actor Ross Kemp.
The Rector is one of the most senior posts within the institution, elected every three years by students.
The role of the Rector is to represent students to the senior management of the University and raise issues which concern them.
To do this, the Rector is the statutory chair of the Court, the governing body of the University.
