"We were horrified to hear the news," said Robert L. Papineau, École Polytechnique's Director General. "We are all too aware of how painful it is to experience an event of this kind. Our hearts go out to the families, the students and our colleagues at Dawson College."

Because it is also concerned about the potential impact of this event on its own community, École Polytechnique will be making psychological support available to those who seek it.

Founded in 1873, École Polytechnique de Montréal is one of Canada's leading engineering institutions in terms of both teaching and research. It is the largest engineering school in Québec as far as its student population and the scope of its research activities are concerned. École Polytechnique provides instruction in 11 engineering specialties and is responsible for more than one-quarter of university research in engineering in Québec. The school has 220 professors and nearly 6,000 students. Its operating budget is $85 million, in addition to a $55.6-million research and infrastructure fund and $38-million in Grants and Research contracts. Polytechnique is affiliated with Université de Montréal.

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Information:
Chantal Cantin
École Polytechnique de Montréal
Tel.: (514) 340-4711, ext. 4970
chantal.cantin@polymtl.ca