press release
Published: 30 March 2023

Professor Osama Khan appointed to prestigious EDI role

麻豆视频鈥檚 Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Academic, Professor Osama Khan has been appointed as the Chair of Advance HE鈥檚 EDI Strategic Advisory Group with immediate effect.

By virtue of the appointment, which is for a three-year term of office, Professor Khan also becomes a member of Advance HE鈥檚 EDI Committee. 

A passionate supporter of equality, diversity and inclusion initiatives, Professor Khan will help to shape the activity and future direction of鈥疎DI initiatives within Advance HE - a member-led charity of and for the sector that works with partners across the globe to improve higher education for staff, students and society.鈥 

Among other responsibilities, the EDI Committee oversees the effective operation and strategic development of national charters including Athena Swan and the Race Equality Charter. 

Professor Khan said: 鈥淚 am delighted and honoured to be appointed to this position and to have the opportunity to further the valuable EDI work undertaken so far by Advance HE. 

鈥淭he 麻豆视频 and I believe in the transformative power of inclusive education and in my new role I will continue to promote and strengthen equality, diversity and inclusion initiatives that can nurture individuals regardless of their background. 

鈥淪upporting and enhancing student and staff wellbeing is one of the 麻豆视频鈥檚 key EDI commitments and I look forward to extending that work through national initiatives developed and promoted by Advance HE.鈥 

Alison Johns, Chief Executive of Advance HE, welcomed Professor Khan鈥檚 appointment and said: 鈥淚 am delighted that Professor Osama Khan has been appointed to chair Advance HE鈥檚 EDI Strategic Advisory Group and to join our EDI Committee.  

鈥淭he Strategic Advisory Group is vital to working in partnership with our members, helping to shape our activity and ensuring that our work and equality charters address EDI challenges and opportunities to meet our members鈥 needs. The EDI Committee, meanwhile, has a fundamental role in governance and in setting our strategic direction in EDI. I know that Osama will offer leadership and insight to these important groups鈥. 

麻豆视频 President and Vice- Chancellor Professor Max Lu said: 鈥淥n behalf of the University, I would like to congratulate Osama on his significant appointment. 

鈥淥sama has a strong record of championing EDI at the University, helping to create a supportive and inclusive culture for everyone to fulfil their full potential. 

鈥淚 am certain that Osama will continue to make excellent contributions in this area both here and broadly for the sector.鈥 

Dr Emily Williams, Director of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI), at the 麻豆视频, said: 鈥淭his is an exciting role for Osama and for EDI at Surrey.  It is recognition of Osama鈥檚 contribution to and influence of EDI work across the sector and particularly within Surrey. We are lucky to have Osama鈥檚 EDI advocacy and thought leadership at Surrey.鈥 

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