Dr Mohamed El-Erian describes the University of Cambridge as his “happy place”.
The Egyptian-American economist, known to millions as a globe-trotting economist who has shaped thinking about historic twists in the world’s fortunes, graduated from Queens’ College in 1980. After a successful career – working at the International Monetary Fund, as a bond trader, adviser to US President Barack Obama, author and columnist – he returned to his alma mater as president in 2020.
He’s genuinely one of the kindest people that I’ve ever met
Georgia Box
He now hopes to be elected chancellor of the university, an 800-year-old role that has been held by princes and prime ministers.
In a ballot of alumni, he is pitted against two lords, a TV presenter, an anti-Brexit campaigner and several academics and business leaders, with the result due to announced by July 23.
Dr El-Erian, who was named in the Top 100 Global Thinkers by Foreign Policy magazine and made Worth magazine’s list of 100 Most Powerful People in Finance, he has endorsements from former UK prime minister Gordon Brown, Google DeepMind co-founder Demis Hassabis and businesswoman Arianna Huffington.
He was born in New York to Egyptian parents, and his father worked as an ambassador, judge and at the United Nations. He grew up in the US and Egypt, as well as being educated at boarding school in England. He won the economics category of the Great Arab Minds awards in 2023.
He has run a vigourous social media campaign, mixing his serious message about the transformation he believes is needed at Cambridge with light-hearted interviews gently ribbing rival university Oxford. Dr El-Erian has been seen wearing a Queens football shirt and also gave a tour of his home office which features a giant poster of Cambridge. “I am happiest here, just ask my daughters,” he says in that video.
He sets out his proposals for how the chancellor's role should change: making it less ceremonial and more practical, ensuring the university is on a sound financial footing and open to the international community.
The candidates
Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive
Ali Azeem, business leader
Tony Booth, professor of education
Lord Browne, former BP chief executive
Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist
Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist
Dr Mark Mann, scientist
Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner
Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister
Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster
As co-chairman of the Cambridge Capital Campaign he has helped bring in £2.2 billion of investment to Queens.
“Cambridge must redouble its efforts to attract funding and donations,” he said in his campaign statement. “I've seen first-hand how innovation and philanthropy help to support vital research, expand opportunities, and better secure our future.
“If elected chancellor, I'll intensify these efforts by helping to tap into global philanthropic opportunities and to attract the investment Cambridge needs.”
He has also spoken about the need to understand how Cambridge can give students a foundation for life.
“Throughout my time here it’s been about identifying what the problem is and fix[ing] it,” he said in a video discussing the need for flexible scholarships.
In footage filmed on the grassy bank of the River Cam as punts glide past, Georgia Box, an associate at Deutsche Bank, was interviewed about why she was supporting Dr El-Erian. He explained how she was under pressure to start earning, using her new degree, but not continue her studies at a higher level.
He helped to design a scholarship that would not just pay for fees and living accommodation, but also “something extra”. Ms Box said: “He cares a lot about each and every student. He’s genuinely one of the kindest people that I’ve ever met. I think he’s just an excellent leader and I can’t think of anyone else that’s better for the job.”
In her submission to be chancellor, broadcaster Sandi Toksvig points out: “The first known chancellor of Cambridge was Richard of Wetheringsett who served sometime between 1215 and 1232. After that we have had a plethora of other Richards, many Johns and an awful lot of Stephens.
“After 800 years I wonder if it isn’t time for a change,” she asks.
Dr El-Erian will be hoping to add the name Mohamed to that list.
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Cryopreservation: A timeline
- Keyhole surgery under general anaesthetic
- Ovarian tissue surgically removed
- Tissue processed in a high-tech facility
- Tissue re-implanted at a time of the patient’s choosing
- Full hormone production regained within 4-6 months
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Western Region Asia Cup T20 Qualifier
Sun Feb 23 – Thu Feb 27, Al Amerat, Oman
The two finalists advance to the Asia qualifier in Malaysia in August
Group A
Bahrain, Maldives, Oman, Qatar
Group B
UAE, Iran, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia
UAE group fixtures
Sunday Feb 23, 9.30am, v Iran
Monday Feb 25, 1pm, v Kuwait
Tuesday Feb 26, 9.30am, v Saudi
UAE squad
Ahmed Raza, Rohan Mustafa, Alishan Sharafu, Ansh Tandon, Vriitya Aravind, Junaid Siddique, Waheed Ahmed, Karthik Meiyappan, Basil Hameed, Mohammed Usman, Mohammed Ayaz, Zahoor Khan, Chirag Suri, Sultan Ahmed
THE SPECS
Engine: 1.5-litre
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Power: 110 horsepower
Torque: 147Nm
Price: From Dh59,700
On sale: now
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
ELIO
Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett
Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5
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Tips to stay safe during hot weather
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
- Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
- Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
- Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
- Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
- Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
- Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants
Sui Dhaaga: Made in India
Director: Sharat Katariya
Starring: Varun Dhawan, Anushka Sharma, Raghubir Yadav
3.5/5
Selected fixtures
All times UAE
Wednesday
Poland v Portugal 10.45pm
Russia v Sweden 10.45pm
Friday
Belgium v Switzerland 10.45pm
Croatia v England 10.45pm
Saturday
Netherlands v Germany 10.45pm
Rep of Ireland v Denmark 10.45pm
Sunday
Poland v Italy 10.45pm
Monday
Spain v England 10.45pm
Tuesday
France v Germany 10.45pm
Rep of Ireland v Wales 10.45pm
The Outsider
Stephen King, Penguin
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
On Instagram: @WithHopeUAE
Although social media can be harmful to our mental health, paradoxically, one of the antidotes comes with the many social-media accounts devoted to normalising mental-health struggles. With Hope UAE is one of them.
The group, which has about 3,600 followers, was started three years ago by five Emirati women to address the stigma surrounding the subject. Via Instagram, the group recently began featuring personal accounts by Emiratis. The posts are written under the hashtag #mymindmatters, along with a black-and-white photo of the subject holding the group’s signature red balloon.
“Depression is ugly,” says one of the users, Amani. “It paints everything around me and everything in me.”
Saaed, meanwhile, faces the daunting task of caring for four family members with psychological disorders. “I’ve had no support and no resources here to help me,” he says. “It has been, and still is, a one-man battle against the demons of fractured minds.”
In addition to With Hope UAE’s frank social-media presence, the group holds talks and workshops in Dubai. “Change takes time,” Reem Al Ali, vice chairman and a founding member of With Hope UAE, told The National earlier this year. “It won’t happen overnight, and it will take persistent and passionate people to bring about this change.”
The candidates
Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive
Ali Azeem, business leader
Tony Booth, professor of education
Lord Browne, former BP chief executive
Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist
Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist
Dr Mark Mann, scientist
Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner
Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister
Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster
