On Wednesday, the University of Oxford announced the 38 finalists in the race for the new Chancellor, featuring several candidates of Indian origin. Among the Indian-origin candidates are Ankur Shiv Bhandari, the first Indian-origin Mayor of Bracknell Forest; Nirpal Singh Paul Bhangal, a Professor of International Entrepreneurship; and Pratik Tarvadi, a medical professional. They will compete against a diverse group of academics, politicians, philanthropists, and entrepreneurs, including former Conservative Party leader Lord William Hague and former Labour politician Lord Peter Mandelson.

According to the university, candidates for the unremunerated role must demonstrate exceptional achievements in their fields and the capacity to command respect beyond their primary disciplines. They are also expected to show a profound appreciation for the university’s research and educational mission and a commitment to enhancing its reputation on various platforms.

Voting will now proceed online among the Convocation members, which includes the staff and alumni of Oxford University, to elect a successor to Lord Patten, who has served as Chancellor for 21 years and will retire at the end of Trinity Term 2024. The first round of voting will occur the week of October 28, allowing voters to rank as many candidates as they choose. The top five candidates will be announced the week of November 4 and will advance to a second round of voting the week of November 18. The new Chancellor will be revealed during the week of November 25.

The incoming Chancellor, serving a fixed term of no more than 10 years as per recent amendments to university statutes, will hold a ceremonial role, presiding over key events and chairing the Committee to Elect the Vice-Chancellor. Additionally, the Chancellor will engage in advocacy, advisory, and fundraising efforts, acting as an ambassador for the university at national and international gatherings.

Bhandari expressed his enthusiasm for the role, stating, “It will be the honor of my life to serve as the Chancellor of Oxford University.” Bhangal highlighted his extensive international connections and deep knowledge of the university, while Tarvadi emphasized his vision for inclusivity and innovation in enhancing Oxford’s global academic standing.

The Chancellor’s role has been held by notable figures, including former Conservative Prime Minister Harold Macmillan and former Labour Home Secretary Roy Jenkins, with the position currently held by Lord Patten.

Neuron7.ai, a platform specializing in service resolution intelligence, has successfully raised $44 million in Series B funding, with Smith Point Capital, led by former Salesforce co-CEO Keith Block, at the helm. Existing investors, Nexus Venture Partners and Battery Ventures, also participated in the oversubscribed round, bringing the company’s total funding to over $63 million.

Neuron7.ai is renowned for resolving challenges in complex service environments and is now eyeing significant growth in India. The company, which operates in Bengaluru, aims for a 10x growth by 2024, focusing on recruiting talent in data science, search, natural language processing (NLP), infrastructure, engineering, and quality assurance (QA). The fresh funding will support this expansion and elevate the Bengaluru office to a global hub for AI engineering and innovation.

The expansion will be spearheaded by key figures, including Chetan Kalyan, Abinaya Govindan, and Gyan Ranjan, all playing pivotal roles in developing AI-powered solutions. Neuron7 recruits top-tier talent from institutions like IITs, NITs, and IIMs, and plans to establish research labs at IIT Delhi, IIT Mumbai, and IISc to support AI and data science students.

CEO Niken Patel stated that their “Smart Resolution Hub” integrates human knowledge and data, offering enhanced decision-making and quicker resolutions for service-related challenges. In the past year, Neuron7 has boosted its annual recurring revenue (ARR) by 300% and expanded its client base to leading industries such as medical devices and high-tech equipment.

This latest funding will accelerate Neuron7’s product innovation and help scale its enterprise-centric go-to-market strategies, ensuring the company remains a leading force in the service industry.

Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris is reportedly in discussions to appear on the popular Joe Rogan Experience podcast in an effort to gain more support from male voters. This potential appearance is part of her wider media strategy, as Harris aims to connect with specific demographics, including Black men, through various media platforms ahead of the election.

After avoiding interviews for months since becoming the Democratic nominee in July, Harris has recently re-entered the media spotlight. She appeared on 60 Minutes and has additional appearances scheduled, including potential interviews with Fox News, a network known for its conservative leanings and support for Donald Trump. Harris’ campaign has not yet finalized a date for her appearance on Rogan’s show, but sources indicate that discussions are underway.

Appearing on Rogan’s podcast, which has millions of dedicated followers, offers Harris the opportunity to address a broad audience. Rogan’s show has gained a reputation for its influence in political discourse, and his large following includes a significant number of male listeners. Harris is especially keen to connect with Black male voters, a group she has been targeting with her recent policy announcements.

The Harris campaign is also working on securing an interview with Fox News to broaden her reach among conservative-leaning voters. Meanwhile, former president Donald Trump has already confirmed his upcoming appearance on Rogan’s podcast, further raising the stakes for Harris.

Rogan’s widespread influence in media and politics has made his platform a coveted space for candidates looking to connect with diverse audiences, particularly as his listener base is overwhelmingly male. Harris’ campaign team is likely considering how her participation could shift voter perceptions and potentially sway undecided voters as the election approaches.

At a campaign rally on October 9, former President Donald Trump indicated that Vivek Ramaswamy could hold a significant position in his administration if he wins the upcoming election against Democratic candidate Kamala Harris. Trump commended the young Indian-American GOP leader as “smart as hell” and expressed confidence in Ramaswamy’s ability to effectively oversee significant government projects. He stated, “We can appoint him to manage one of these large initiatives, and he’ll outperform anyone you can imagine.”

This isn’t the first time Trump has acknowledged Ramaswamy’s potential role; he had previously described him as a “smart guy” and suggested he would be part of his team, particularly referencing tariff negotiations with French President Emmanuel Macron during a June rally in Wisconsin.

After withdrawing from the race, Ramaswamy endorsed Trump, expressing strong support at a rally in Atkinson, New Hampshire. He urged voters to back Trump, stating, “There is not a better choice left in this race than this man right here.” Trump thanked Ramaswamy for his endorsement, signaling a long-term collaboration. Ramaswamy has been a vocal supporter of Trump, referring to him as the “greatest president” of the 21st century and defending him amid ongoing legal challenges.