Kofi Annan, the United Nations Secretary-General was due to accept an honorary degree from Oxford University today - despite being asked by students to postpone his visit until a row over racism is resolved.

Five student societies signed a letter sent to the Secretary-General in New York asking him to postpone accepting the honorary degree because of race discrimination allegations brought by Oxford student Nadeem Ahmed against the university.

However, Elisabeth Lindenmayer, Mr Annan's executive assistant, wrote back saying the Secretary-General was confident Oxford would find "an appropriate way of ensuring that its procedures are not contaminated by racism or racial discrimination".

Karim Virani, secretary of the Oxford Majilis Asian Society, who was involved in drafting the letter to Mr Annan last month, said: "I'm glad he took the matter seriously.

"The matter received publicity and it raised public awareness of Oxford's failings."

Mr Annan, who was due to receive his honorary degree at a ceremony today, lectured at the Sheldonian Theatre last night on the theme 'Why democracy is an international issue'.