24th June 2026
Prime Minister Gaston Browne joins Manchester-Oxbridge Partnership as Distinguished Fellow & Mentor
The Honourable Gaston Browne, Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda
The Manchester-Oxbridge Partnership is honoured to announce that the Honourable Gaston Browne, Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, has joined the Partnership as a Distinguished Fellow & Mentor.
Prime Minister Browne is a respected international public leader with extensive experience in governance, finance, economic development, and public administration. He has served as Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda since 2014 and has spent nearly three decades in public life as a Member of Parliament.
An alumnus of the University of Manchester, Prime Minister Browne brings to MOP a distinctive combination of global leadership experience, civic perspective, and commitment to public service. His involvement will offer students valuable insight into national leadership, democratic governance, public policy, and the responsibilities of public office.
Through this role, Prime Minister Browne will support MOP’s student mentorship and civic learning work, with a particular focus on leadership, governance, public life, and the role of education in national and community development.
His contribution strengthens the Partnership’s wider mission of enriching student learning, deepening academic and civic exchange, and mobilising scholarship for the public good.
The Manchester-Oxbridge Partnership warmly welcomes Prime Minister Browne and looks forward to the insight, experience, and public leadership perspective he will bring to this important mentorship initiative.
6th Nov 2025
H.E. John Agyekum Kufuor announced as Global Patron of the Manchester–Oxbridge Partnership
H.E. John Agyekum Kufuor GCB, former President of the Republic of Ghana
The Manchester–Oxbridge Partnership is deeply honoured to announce His Excellency John Agyekum Kufuor GCB, former President of the Republic of Ghana, as Global Patron of the Partnership.
President Kufuor is a distinguished statesman, lawyer, and advocate for human development whose life and work reflect many of the values MOP seeks to cultivate: intellectual rigour, ethical leadership, public service, cross-cultural understanding, and a deep commitment to expanding opportunity through education.
A graduate of Exeter College, University of Oxford, where he read Philosophy, Politics and Economics, President Kufuor brings to MOP an extraordinary record of national, continental, and global leadership. He served as President of Ghana from 2001 to 2009 and as Chairperson of the African Union from 2007 to 2008, helping to advance democratic governance, development, and cooperation across Africa and beyond.
His presidency is widely associated with democratic consolidation, economic recovery, social investment, and people-centred development. Under his leadership, Ghana introduced major reforms and social programmes, including the National Health Insurance Scheme and the Ghana School Feeding Programme, both of which reflected his commitment to improving everyday lives and widening opportunity.
Beyond public office, President Kufuor has continued to serve internationally as a respected advocate for good governance, food security, climate responsibility, and sustainable development. His work in tackling hunger and poverty earned him the 2011 World Food Prize, and through the John A. Kufuor Foundation and the Kufuor Scholars Program, he continues to mentor and inspire the next generation of principled leaders.
As Global Patron, President Kufuor brings exceptional moral authority, intellectual distinction, and convening power to the Manchester–Oxbridge Partnership. His association with MOP strengthens the Partnership’s ambition to connect the students and staff of the Universities of Manchester, Oxford, and Cambridge with real-world impact, public service, and global leadership.
The Manchester–Oxbridge Partnership warmly welcomes President Kufuor as Global Patron and looks forward to the wisdom, example, and international perspective he brings to the Partnership’s mission.
7th Aug 2025
From Oxford Inspiration to Zimbabwean Ambition: Margaret Marewo's Journey
We are excited to share a recent reflection from one of our inaugural Manchester–Oxbridge Partnership participants, Margaret Marewo. After traveling from Manchester to Oxford for our event, Margaret had the unique opportunity to engage with global leaders, including a memorable conversation with the President of Iceland.
Now back in Zimbabwe, Margaret recorded a short video reflecting on how the experience has shaped her aspirations. She speaks about how the event inspired her to aim high and work towards a future where she could contribute to her country at the very highest levels—and one day become the President of Zimbabwe.
Check out Margaret’s video reflection below.
12th May 2025
Vice-Chancellor Praises MOP Initiative and Offers Support
Professor Duncan Invision, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Manchester.
On 12, May 2025, the leadership of the Manchester-Oxbridge Partnership met with the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Manchester. The Vice-Chancellor was deeply impressed by the initiative’s vision and expressed strong support, noting his enthusiasm for student-driven innovation and collaboration. He emphasized the importance of such initiatives and committed to supporting the project’s next steps, marking a significant milestone for the partnership.
27th Feb 2024
Iceland's President Praises Manchester-Oxbridge Partnership at Oxford Event
President Jóhannesson
On the 27th of February 2024, President Guðni Th. Jóhannesson of Iceland delivered a thought-provoking lecture at the University of Oxford, where he shared insights from his journey transitioning from a distinguished historian to the President of Iceland. Following his lecture, President Jóhannesson engaged with students who participated in the event through the Manchester-Oxbridge Partnership, commending the initiative for fostering collaborative academic and cultural exchanges.
The theme of President Jóhannesson's lecture, "Where You Stand Depends on Where You Sit: The Challenge of Being an Academic Turned Head of State," offered a deep dive into the complexities and challenges he faced moving from academia to the political arena. He explored the philosophical and practical dilemmas of applying historical perspectives and academic insights to the pragmatic and often unpredictable world of politics. Drawing from his personal experiences, President Jóhannesson discussed the nuances of policy-making, the importance of maintaining integrity and objectivity, and how his academic background has influenced his approach to governance and diplomatic relations.
President Jóhannesson with students from the University of Manchester
By sharing anecdotes from his tenure as President, alongside reflections on historical events and scholarly analysis, President Jóhannesson provided a unique lens through which to view the intersection of academia and statecraft.