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In a rare distinction, NRI industrialist Lord Swraj Paul has been appointed the First Chancellor of the prestigious University of Westminster here. Lord Paul, who is already the Chancellor of the Wolverhampton University, in the UK, will represent the Westminster University in his non-executive role and promote its interests. Plans are afoot for a formal installation ceremony sometime in May/June this year.
Raised to the peerage as Baron Paul of Marylebone in 1996, Lord Paul already has strong links with the university, hosting the annual visit of Indian journalists to study on Chevening Scholarships at Westminster. He was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Letters in 1997.
Lord Paul, the Chairman of Caparo Group, a global steel, engineering and property development business, and also Chairman of the Olympic Delivery Committee with the key task of initiating measures to acquire land and provide infrastructure for the London Olympics 2012, said on Sunday he was delighted to accept the invitation to work more closely with the university.
As a post-1992 university, Westminster has no tradition of having a Chancellor role but Vice-Chancellor Geoffrey Copland is confident the move will bring great benefit.
"The University is honored that Lord Paul has agreed to be our First Chancellor. He has been a strong supporter over the years and his commitment to diversity and to international education and partnerships is well known. He has displayed a strong commitment to education as a vehicle for opportunities for personal and professional development, with an emphasis on widening participation and equality.
A philanthropist, Lord Paul has made large donations to many organizations, including a million pound to save the London Zoo from closure. He has also worked to develop strong Indo-British relations.
Lord Paul was part of the Board of Olympics which fought a keen battle in Singapore and won the games for Britain for the year 2012.
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