Shakira calls for universal education in Oxford speech

Following in the footsteps of stars including Michael Jackson and Jon Bon Jovi, the 'Hips Don't Lie' hitmaker stood up in front of an audience at the institution's famed Union on Monday night, Contactmusic reported.

Thanking the students for taking the time to listen to her talk, the 32-year-old star went on to address the topic of universal access to education.

"I am somewhat mystified as to why you are here because there won't be any singing, any hip shaking whatsoever," she said.

Shakira also spoke about her role as an ambassador for UNICEF and her own The Barefoot Foundation, which aims to improve education for impoverished children.

"I was born in Colombia, growing up in the developing world where education is perceived as a luxury and not as birthright. So how do I go from Barranquilla, Colombia, come to occupy the same stage as Newton, Churchill?

"Lord knows, I am no Mother Theresa. But here I am nonetheless. My career gives me an enormous opportunity to communicate issues that I believe strongly should be communicated(sic)," she said.