In all her finery, the ‘new’ rector of St Andrews University
SHE is following in the footsteps of legends such as Rudyard Kipling, J M Barrie and Monty Python’s John Cleese.
Dr Leyla Hussein OBE has been installed as the 54th rector at the University of St Andrews – despite being nearly halfway through her term of office.
The 41-year-old psychotherapist, campaigner and global leader on gender rights was elected in November 2020 for a three-year term and became the Fife university’s first female black rector. Due to Covid delays, Dr Hussein has only just been sworn in.
She said yesterday: ‘As rector, it is my greatest honour and responsibility to represent student voices at the highest levels of decisionmaking at this historic university.
‘To each student at this university who is demanding greater support, accessibility and inclusivity, I truly admire your contributions to the St Andrews community and hope to continue supporting your work in my final year as your rector.’
Since 1858 the rector has been elected by students and plays a pastoral role to them, in addition to being president of the University Court, the highest governing body of the university.
Lottie Doherty, University of St Andrews Students’ Association president, said: ‘Dr Hussein is halfway through her term. This provides us with an opportunity to not only celebrate Leyla’s election and welcome her into St Andrews, but also the impact of her term as rector so far.’
On Wednesday night, students joined Dr Hussein on a pub crawl through the town and on Thursday she went on the ‘rector’s drag’.
The drag involved a day of celebration including a pier walk and a procession through the town, led by and organised by students of the rector’s committee.
‘My greatest honour’