Adil Rahoo becomes first student to host Dean’s Forum

The Dean’s Forum has previously welcomed prominent political leaders including former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. Traditionally, Professor Woods interviews distinguished guests on leadership, public policy and governance.

On 18 June, however, the format was reversed. After proposing the idea himself, Adil moderated the inaugural ‘Dean’s Forum on the Dean’, placing Professor Woods in the guest’s chair and inviting fellow Master of Public Policy students to ask questions about her career, leadership and the creation of one of the world’s leading schools of government.

The event marked the culmination of Adil’s year studying for a Master of Public Policy at the Blavatnik School and Christ Church.

The idea emerged after Adil attended Professor Woods’ ‘Managing International Organisations’ module.

‘I realised that while Professor Woods has interviewed so many remarkable leaders over the years, students rarely have the opportunity to hear her own story,’ he explained. ‘Having built one of the world’s leading schools of government while advising organisations including the IMF, UNDP and the G20, I felt students would benefit immensely from hearing directly from her – not only as the Dean, but as the person behind the role.’

Professor Woods embraced the idea, and together with the School’s Executive Office, the event was developed into the first ‘Dean’s Forum on the Dean’.

Held under the Chatham House Rule, the discussion gave students the opportunity to ask candid questions about leadership, public service, global governance and Professor Woods’ personal journey. Adil opened the conversation with his own questions before inviting contributions from across the Master of Public Policy cohort.

The event concluded with students presenting Professor Woods with flowers, a framed cohort photograph and a handwritten letter thanking her for her leadership and the community she has built at the Blavatnik School.

Reflecting on the experience, Adil said: ‘Professor Woods has spent years asking thoughtful questions of presidents, prime ministers, and policymakers. Being able to turn the tables and ask those questions to her was a unique privilege for our entire cohort.

‘I hope this becomes a tradition, because every cohort should have the opportunity to learn not only from global leaders, but also from the person who has dedicated so much of her career to building this remarkable School.’

Before coming to Oxford, Adil served as Student President at Glasgow Caledonian University, representing more than 20,000 students, and founded a non-governmental organisation in Pakistan. Following his studies at Oxford, he hopes to pursue a career in public service in Pakistan, with a focus on leadership, governance and institutional reform.