Cherie Blair
The Asian University for Women (AUW), located in Bangladesh, appointed Cherie Blair, a leading international lawyer, human rights advocate, and the wife of former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, as the first chancellor of the three-year-old university.
As chancellor of the university, Blair will serve as the titular head of the institution and is expected to play a significant role as an international advocate for the university and women’s education, in addition to officiating in commencement proceedings.
Blair was unanimously elected by the university’s international support committee, which is co-chaired by Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Lone Dybkjaer, the wife of former Danish Prime Minister Poul Nyrup Rasmussen.
Since the university’s founding in 2008, Blair has been actively involved in the development of AUW and has campaigned globally on behalf of the university in places such as Qatar, Hong Kong, and Kuwait. Prior to her involvement with AUW, Blair was already heavily involved with Bangladesh in her capacity as a legal advocate for Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina during her house arrest.
“I fight, personally and professionally, for women’s equality because I passionately believe it is a fundamental matter of principle and justice,” said Blair. “It is clear that AUW’s trailblazing graduates will provide young women across the region with much-needed examples of leadership, raising ambitions to help unlock more potential.” ♦