We are delighted to announce that Malala Yousafzai has been appointed as an Honorary Fellow of Linacre College. She, and Linacre Fellow Talha Pirzada, have been fundamental in setting up the Oxford Pakistan Programme currently supporting five students at Oxford, one of whom is completing a DPhil at Linacre.
Principal, Nick Leimu-Brown, has been supporting this programme since it started in 2020 and continues to be involved as future possibilities are explored.
“Malala is globally recognised for her extraordinary work in support of women’s education, particularly for those from the least advantaged backgrounds” said Nick.
“She has told me how proud she is to join a college that is working so hard in support of the same issues.”
During the ceremony, Malala shared fond memories of visiting her friends at Linacre and lauded the impact of the OPP. She spoke with pride about how the dream of the OPP has now come to fruition, transforming the lives of students in Pakistan.
Dr. Talha Jamal Pirzada, a Linacre Fellow and co-founder of the OPP, provided an overview of the OPP’s activities in the past year in promoting education and fostering collaboration between Oxford and Pakistan. He explained that the OPP provided scholarships and awarded studentships to Pakistani origin students at Oxford who are in financial need. Additionally, the OPP facilitated six work placements at the World Bank’s Office in Pakistan, providing valuable opportunities for professional development and increasing linkages between Oxford’s student body and Pakistan.
“The OPP has become a beacon of hope for thousands of Pakistani students aspiring to pursue higher education at top institutions worldwide,” said Dr. Pirzada. “As we celebrate Malala’s extraordinary achievements, let us recognise the transformative power of education in shaping lives, communities, and nations. Let us also reaffirm our commitment to investing in the education of young girls and women, particularly in STEM subjects, to build a prosperous and equitable future for generations to come.”
