Secretary-General, Columbia University President Saddened by Sudden Death

of Internationally Renowned Academic

 

Following is a statement by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and Columbia University President Lee C. Bollinger, host of the 2012 Global Colloquium of University Presidents, issued on 3 April:

We are deeply saddened by the sudden death of our colleague Richard Descoings, the Director of Sciences Po, one of the world’s top universities.  He was a global leader on education policy, recognized and honoured both in France and around the world for his contributions to research and policy.  He focused much of his energy on expanding access to the University.

Mr. Descoings was also Administrator of the Fondation Nationale des Sciences Politiques.  He had travelled to New York to participate with two dozen fellow university presidents in the Global Colloquium of University Presidents, an annual gathering convened by five leading American research universities and the United Nations.

Our hearts and condolences go out to the Descoings family and many friends, and to the entire Sciences Po community.

* *** *

For information media • not an official record