It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Li Xiaoming, a graduate student in the department of Politics and International Studies, who studied for an MA in International Relations at the University during the 2008-2009 academic year. He was due to graduate in absentia on Thursday 21 January at the afternoon ceremony.

It has been confirmed that Li Xiaoming died in the Haitian earthquake which struck on Tuesday 12 January. He was in Haiti with seven other Chinese peacekeepers. The Chinese delegation was attending a meeting at the UN Stabilization Mission in Port-au-Prince when the earthquake struck shortly before 5pm local time.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Nigel Thrift said: "The sudden death of a student brings great sadness to all those who knew them. Xiaoming was a compassionate, kind and caring individual, dedicated to his peacekeeping work and with many friends both inside and outside the University. Our thoughts are with Xiaoming's family and friends at this sad time."

The department of Politics and International Studies will be holding a commemoration event for Li Xiaoming on Thursday 21 January. If you would like to attend, please contact the PAIS postgraduate office on 024 765 23486 or email paispg@warwick.ac.uk.

University staff and support professionals are working to support those students who were close to Xiaoming. If you would like to speak to someone at this time, there are a number of support services available. The Student Support Services website gives more details, at www2.warwick.ac.uk/services/campusaffairs/student-support-services/

More information on the University’s response to the Earthquake is available here.