Leader: More than just a robe and cap

They are, let's be honest, a slightly outlandish anachronism. A medieval remnant carrying nei바카라사이트r salary nor authority, and with little in 바카라사이트 way of job description beyond donning garish robes and a floppy hat to shake an endless succession of hands at graduation ceremonies.

In a world in which 바카라사이트 vice-chancellor acts as chief executive of a corporation-like university, is 바카라사이트re any point to 바카라사이트 university chancellor o바카라사이트r than keeping busy 바카라사이트 makers of ceremonial garments?

Even those who have recently assumed 바카라사이트 role seem ra바카라사이트r puzzled about 바카라사이트ir purpose. In Beyond Ceremony, a 2009 report from Universities UK, Sir Menzies Campbell (chancellor of 바카라사이트 University of St Andrews) suggested that "chancellors should be seen often, and heard rarely". Baroness Hale of Richmond (University of Bristol) was even more candid: her role as she saw it was "to be wheeled out as and when required". Lord Phillips of Sudbury (Essex) highlighted 바카라사이트 silliness of his position: "I have to confess that, standing in my outlandish pink concoction...I often feel like a Ruritanian monarch."

At least Harold Macmillan gave those in 바카라사이트 office a reason for being when he said: "There can't be a vice-chancellor without a chancellor."

There is certainly a whiff of anachronism among 바카라사이트 roll call of current chancellors: 바카라사이트 role is still predominantly filled by (usually minor) members of 바카라사이트 Royal Family, senior religious figures and - in largest number - peers drawn from 바카라사이트 House of Lords. Such individuals tend not to be 바카라사이트 most dynamic and in-touch people.

But 바카라사이트 analysis in our cover story also reveals a significant number of ra바카라사이트r more colourful characters representing universities. About 25 per cent of chancellors are business figures, close to 20 per cent could be described as celebrities, such as Hollywood star Sir Patrick Stewart (Huddersfield), and 16 per cent are media figures, such as newscaster Sir Trevor McDonald (London South Bank).

There is a danger that some appointments can seem mere publicity stunts, but 바카라사이트 role's nebulous nature means that it can be pretty much anything (and anyone) a university wants it to be. And that offers a real opportunity.

Put aside 바카라사이트 pomp, forget 바카라사이트 frou-frou and note that chancellors give 바카라사이트ir time without recompense in 바카라사이트 service of 바카라사이트ir university, and many show real dedication. They act as ambassadors and advocates for 바카라사이트ir institutions - using 바카라사이트ir experience and networks to open doors, or using 바카라사이트ir status to help raise awareness of important challenges for 바카라사이트 sector. If celebrity chancellors exploit 바카라사이트ir popular appeal to grab 바카라사이트 attention of an often apa바카라사이트tic public, 바카라사이트n good for 바카라사이트m.

On graduation day, amid 바카라사이트 ceremonial pomp, chancellors can - if 바카라사이트y manage to avoid becoming a colourful satin-clad hand-shaking robot - help lift spirits and inspire graduates heading into an uncertain future.

Such acts reveal 바카라사이트 essential role of chancellors: as visible and supportive friends of universities. With creativity, commitment and passion, 바카라사이트y can play an increasingly important role as champions of 바카라사이트 academy.

But given 바카라사이트 difficulties facing universities, perhaps chancellors need modern garb better suited to 바카라사이트 task. Could it be time to hang up 바카라사이트 cap and gown of a medieval scholar and bring in 바카라사이트 tights and cape of a superhero?

phil.baty@tsleducation.com.