New Delhi: Columbia University has named former Bank of England Deputy Governor and current London School of Economics President Nemat "Minouche" Shafik as its president. With this Nemat Shafik became the first time woman will lead a renowned American educational institution. Who is Nemat Shafik? Shafik, who is an economist by profession is all set to become the twentieth president of Columbia University on July 1. She began her career at the World Bank. Shafik became the youngest-ever vice president at the age of 36 in the World Bank. She has also served as the deputy managing director of the International Monetary Fund and as a top official in the UK's Department for International Development. His appointment to Columbia University comes after educational institutions like Harvard University appointed women to head top universities. Last month, Claudine Gay was appointed as its new president. Claudine Gay became the first Black woman to hold the top job at Harvard. In the statement released by Columbia University, it said that Shafik was born in Alexandria, Egypt. Meanwhile, Jonathan Lavine, chair of the Columbia Board of Trustees, called Shafik, a 60-year-old as "the perfect candidate". Lavine further said what set Shafik apart as a candidate was her unshakable confidence in the vital role of institutions of higher education. Newly-appointed Gates Foundation trustee & International Financial Institution superstar Baroness Nemat Shafik says her "family was nationalized" & that guides her approach to development, i.e. neoliberalization. pic.twitter.com/KegwpLZIxQ — Alex Rubinstein (@RealAlexRubi) January 31, 2022
