On October 16^th, The University of St Andrews announced that Dr Leyla Hussein OBE had been elected to become its new Rector.

This is the first time since the passing of the Universities (Scotland) Act in 1858, which is an ancient university governance structure in Scotland, that a Black woman has been appointed to the role. The position is student elected.

The newly elected Rector tweeted: “I’m excited to have been elected as the new Rector for St Andrews University; history has been made today”.

Meet Your New Rector St Andrew University,
I'm excited to have been elected as the new Rector for St Andrews University; history has being made today, I'm the first black women to hold this position.thank you to my fantastic campaigning team. Change is coming ✊🏾❤🙏🏾 https://t.co/lwvLQ5HzWF

— Dr Leyla Hussein OBE (@LeylaHussein) October 16, 2020

Dr Leyla Hussein OBE is a Somali-born British psychotherapist and the founder of The Dahlia Project, the UK’s first specialist therapeutic service for FGM survivors. She has also co-founded an anti-FGM charity called Daughters of Eve.