The appointment, which was made after a student vote, is largely ceremonial. Snowden isn’t leaving Russia any time soon.

Reheem Kassam of Breitbart news reported.

Edward Snowden appointed Rector of Glasgow University

Heroic whistleblower? Alleged criminal? Coward? Whatever your label for Edward Snowden, the former CIA man has been given a new, official title by Glasgow University in the United Kingdom: the prestigious ‘rector’ title, following a vote amongst students.

The rector at Glasgow is effectively a figurehead appointed to represent the concerns of the student body.

Snowden is reported to have beaten three other candidates in the poll: the cyclist Graeme Obree, author Alan Bissett and Scottish clergyman Kelvin Holdsworth.

Previous rectors at the university include Edmund Burke, Winnie Mandela, Mordechai Vanunu, and former Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy.

Rectors serve three-year terms, though it may be difficult for Snowden to fulfil all his ambassadorial expectations, since the NSA whistleblower is still believed to be taking refuge in Russia.

Chris Cassells, Snowden’s spokesman for the rectorial election campaign, told The Guardian: “We are delighted to see Edward Snowden elected as the new rector of the University of Glasgow. We have a proud and virtuous tradition of making significant statements through our rectors and today we have once more championed this idea by proving to the world that we are not apathetic to important issues such as democratic rights.

“We would like to thank all other candidates as well as the students who nominated them for promoting an exciting and relevant debating atmosphere over the last few weeks.”