DHAKA: Former National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden has been installed as the official representative of students at the University of Glasgow.

Snowden told the ceremony by video link that, in the office, he would follow the idea ‘that if we believe in something, we should stand up for it’.

He said ‘in a democracy, people have a right to know the policies of their government’.

Snowden leaked documents disclosing details of US spies’ surveillance of the Internet and telephone communications. He has been granted asylum in Russia.

He was elected rector — the students’ representative to university management — out of a field of four candidates in February.

Snowden is unlikely to visit Glasgow, however. Britain has an extradition treaty with the US, where he is wanted on criminal charges, reports The Times of India.

BDST: 1849 HRS, APR 24, 2014