Columbia University names Egyptian-born economist as first woman president – The National

Columbia University names Egyptian-born economist as first woman president – The National

Columbia University in New York has appointed Egyptian-born economist Baroness Nemat "Minouche" Shafik as its president, it announced on Wednesday.

Baroness Shafik, who is currently director of the London School of Economics (LSE), will be the 20th head of Columbia and the first woman to lead the Ivy league establishment.

In a letter to the university, Jonathan Lavine, chairman of the Columbia Board of Trustees, called Baroness Shafik an ideal candidate.