Luxembourg university confirms proposal for new president

A Belgian-Canadian professor has been proposed to become the new president of the University of Luxembourg, it has been confirmed.

A spokesperson at the university announced on Friday that 49-year-old Professor Stéphane Pallage, who has been the dean of the School of Management at the University of Quebec in Montreal since 2013, has been put forward for the role.

On Friday, the Luxembourg government proposed to appoint Pallage as president on January 1 next year.

"The young University of Luxembourg is certainly one of the European institutions with the highest potential," Pallage said in a statement. "It is both a challenge and a unique opportunity to have the privilege of supporting the development of such a university."

Pallage grew up in Malmedy in Belgium and holds Belgian and Canadian citizenship. He embarked on his academic career at the University of Liège and as a professor of the University of Quebec worked extensively on applied macroeconomics, dynamic general equilibrium models, international aid, and the fight against child labour.

He speaks French and English fluently and understands German.

Chairman of the Board of Governors, Yves Elsen, said Pallage's "knowledge of several academic cultures and experience in running a major institution of higher education and research" convinced the board of governors he would be the "driving force of sustainable development for the university, its international reputation and its rooting in the social and economic fabric of Luxembourg".

Acting Rector Ludwig Neyses will remain in charge until the arrival of Professor Pallage.

(Heledd Pritchard, heledd.pritchard@wort.lu, +352 49 93 459)