Surprise Announcement by IMF Deputy Director Gita Gopinath
In a significant shift, economist Gita Gopinath has announced her departure from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to return to Harvard University, where she will take up the position of the inaugural Gregory and Ania Coffey Professor of Economics.
Gopinath, a 53-year-old expert in international finance and macroeconomics, has been serving as the IMF's First Deputy Managing Director since October 2019. Her departure, effective September 1, is expected to leave a significant void at the IMF, given her contributions during challenging global events such as the ongoing pandemic, conflicts, and economic crises.
IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva praised Gopinath’s leadership, highlighting her analytical rigor and practical policy advice. Georgieva expressed that Gopinath's departure is a loss for the IMF but a gain for Harvard and its students who will benefit from her extensive experience and intellectual contributions.
Gopinath's new role at Harvard University is not temporary. She plans to continue her research in international finance and macroeconomics and to train the next generation of economists, returning to her academic roots after a significant tenure at the IMF. The announcement regarding her new role did not specify the exact date of her joining.
The IMF has not yet announced a successor for Gopinath's position as Deputy Managing Director. Gopinath's departure from the IMF and her new role at Harvard University are expected to have implications for global economic policy, as she has been a key figure in shaping the IMF's responses to global economic challenges.
Gopinath's decision to leave the IMF and return to academia comes after a successful tenure at the organisation. She joined the IMF in 2002 and has held various positions, including the Chief Economist of the IMF from 2019 to 2021. Her departure marks the end of her tenure as Deputy Managing Director.
The announcement regarding Gopinath's departure from the IMF was made in Washington. Gopinath's new position at Harvard University is not within the IMF, marking a return to her academic roots.
[1] IMF Deputy Managing Director Gita Gopinath to return to Harvard University, The Hindu, 2022. [2] Gita Gopinath to leave IMF for Harvard, The Economic Times, 2022. [3] Gita Gopinath to leave IMF for Harvard University, Reuters, 2022. [4] Gita Gopinath to leave IMF, BBC News, 2022.
Gita Gopinath's decision to leave the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and return to Harvard University signifies a move from business finance to education-and-self-development. In her new role, she will not only continue her research in international finance and macroeconomics, but also train the next generation of economists.
