Mourning in the academic community: farewell to Prof. Colombo

Gianluca Colombo, a beloved professor to many generations of USI economics students, passed away today surrounded by his loved ones. USI extends its sincerest condolences to his family.

For over two decades and until only a few months ago, Professor Colombo played a key role in the Faculty of Economics at USI, teaching at all levels – Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD, and Executive. He was particularly tied to the Institute of Management, where he served as the first director and played a significant role in its development and to USI EMBA, the Executive Master Business Administration MBA, which he conceived and directed for 12 editions. The intellectual legacy he leaves to the academic community in terms of study programmes he created, scientific publications and relationships with companies in the local community is invaluable.

Gianluca Colombo was a bridge builder, an innovator who saw beyond boundaries and limitations. His visionary approach and ability to foster connections greatly enriched USI and the academic community. He will be remembered for his unwavering dedication and deep attachment to USI, qualities that defined every aspect of his work and life.

Gianluca Colombo leaves an indelible mark on his colleagues at USI. They will always remember him with gratitude for his versatile and articulate personality, profound humanity, kindness, and elegance.

We will miss his tireless academic commitment, collegiality, and good spirits.

Biography

Full Professor of Business Administration at the Faculty of Economics of Università della Svizzera italiana from 2001 to 2023 and Professor Emeritus thereafter, Gianluca Colombo (1953-2024) has competently and passionately held several key positions at USI. He was the Dean of the Faculty from 2019 to 2023; he directed the Institute of Management, the Master of Management and the EMBA (Executive MBA), which he founded in 2010. Under his leadership, the Faculty tackled the management difficulties related to COVID and developed new valuable educational plans, such as the Bachelor in Economics in English. A former professor of Business Economics at Insubria University, he was previously an associate professor at the Bocconi University Milan and the University of Pavia and an adjunct professor at the Sapienza University Rome. He was a visiting professor at the EM of Lyon, GRASCE of Aix-Marseille III University, and Federico Santa Maria Technical University of Valparaiso (Chile). A member of EURAM (European Academy of Management), he has published numerous books and scientific articles in the fields of strategic management, business acquisitions and mergers, complexity theories, entrepreneurship and family businesses. He has worked as a consultant in the family business sector and was a founding member of AIF-Ticino, the association of family businesses in the Canton of Ticino.