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INSEAD Dean tested positive for COVID-19

INSEAD Dean tested positive for COVID-19

INSEAD Dean tested positive for COVID-19

Ilian Mihov in hospital isolation ward in Singapore per local government procedure for confirmed cases.

INSEAD announced today that the Dean of the schoolIlian Mihov, has been tested positive for COVID-19. Mihov is currently warded in isolation at a hospital in Singapore. In full compliance with established contact tracing procedures, all those who have been in close contact with Mihov have been put on a mandatory leave of absence (LOA). 

Mihov is in a stable condition and in good spirits. In his absence, Deputy Dean and Dean of Innovation, Peter Zemsky, will be acting Dean.  

Mihov was last present on the INSEAD Asia Campus on March before travelling to France. He was on the Europe Campus in Fontainebleau until 12 MarchHe travelled back from France to Singapore on Friday, 13 March 

On Saturday14 March, Mihov began experiencing mild symptoms and immediately went for testing at the National Centre for Infectious Diseases in Singapore. Today, a nasal swab test came back positive for COVID-19.  

As Mihov had last been on the Asia Campus on Monday, March, the facility will remain open as per the school’s business continuity plan. However, no teaching will be taking place. His close colleagues based on the Asia Campus have been instructed to go on a mandatory LOA for 14 days and to monitor their temperatures and health carefully in full compliance with local regulations. 

The areas Mihov worked prior to his diagnosis have been thoroughly disinfected, including his office, the wider Dean’s office and common areas, meeting rooms, pantry and toilets. This includes all surfaces in high traffic areas such as lifts, handrails, door handles, desk and cupboard surfaces and bathroom facilities. Other areas he visited such as the INSEAD restaurant and coffee bar have also undergone thorough cleaning and disinfection.  

In compliance with local regulations in France, the Europe Campus was already scheduled to close as of Monday, 16 Marchalong with schools and universities across the country. INSEAD staff and faculty are moving to remote working and class delivery. All of Mihov's close contacts there have also been instructed to monitor their temperatures and health carefully while teleworking in the weeks to come.  

In line with the UAE government directive on 5 March, the INSEAD Middle East Campus has suspended all on-and off-campus events and teaching activities since Sunday, 8 March, for four weeks. Many of our staff are teleworking. Only essential staff are on campus and social distancing is in place.   

Mandatory temperature checks and split team working arrangements are already in place on our Asia Campus and at the INSEAD San Francisco Hub for Business Innovation to minimise the risk of transmission and will continue until further notice.  

Cross-campus travel has been suspended and travel for all INSEAD employees is cancelled until the end of April. Non-essential personal travel is also discouraged.  

INSEAD has also instituted health awareness campaigns across all global facilities, updated regularly with the very latest information to inform the community how to avoid contracting the virus. 

The school is taking all necessary measures to protect the health of our community members, visitors, and partners. We are employing actions and policies in line with government regulations and WHO recommendations. 

The executive committee has established a cross-departmental working group that meets daily, monitors the situation constantly and decides on appropriate measures. 

We are doing our utmost to keep the business school for the world as open and collaborative as always. At the same time, the health and safety of our staff, faculty, students and partners remains our top priority. 

For more information about all the measures we are taking in response to COVID-19, please visit our dedicated COVID-19 webpage here. 

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Contacts for press:  

Europe/North America: 

Axel Tagliavini  
Tel: +33 6 22 63 12 14 
Email: [email protected] 

Ilan Goren 
Tel: +33 6 78 04 25 77 
Email: [email protected]  

Asia/Middle East: 

Chris Howells  
Tel: +65 9489 7073  
Email: [email protected]  

Aileen Huang 
Tel: +65 9008 3812 
Email: [email protected]du  

 

About INSEAD, The Business School for the World

As one of the world’s leading and largest graduate business schools, INSEAD brings together people, cultures and ideas to develop responsible leaders who transform business and society. Our research, teaching and partnerships reflect this global perspective and cultural diversity.

With locations in Europe (France), Asia (Singapore), the Middle East (Abu Dhabi), and now North America (San Francisco), INSEAD's business education and research spans four regions. Our 162 renowned Faculty members from 40 countries inspire more than 1,300 degree participants annually in our Master in Management,  MBAGlobal Executive MBA, Specialised Master’s degrees (Executive Master in Finance and Executive Master in Change) and PhD programmes. In addition, more than 10,000 executives participate in INSEAD Executive Education programmes each year.

INSEAD continues to conduct cutting-edge research and innovate across all our programmes. We provide business leaders with the knowledge and awareness to operate anywhere. Our core values drive academic excellence and serve the global community as The Business School for the World.

Contacts for press: 

Aileen Huang
Tel +65 9008 3812
Email: [email protected]
Cheryl Ng
Tel +65 8750 0788
Email: [email protected]
Gwenaelle Hennequin
Tel +33 6 15 12 10 86
Email: [email protected]