RICHARDSON, Texas (Nov. 2, 2005) – The International Center for Decision and Risk Analysis (ICDRiA) in The University of Texas at Dallas’ School of Management has been awarded two grants totaling 205,200 euros ($244,474) from two separate French agencies to study the management of risk.

The French Atomic Energy Agency is funding a 150,000-euro ($178,709) ICDRiA study that will focus on the risk related to seismic hazards and the ruination of structures. The French Ministry of Research, through the FX Consoie Foundation, has given the center 55,200 euros ($65,765) for its research activities related to risk management.


Dr. Alain Bensoussan, who joined the UTD faculty in 2004 after heading the European Space Agency from 1999 to 2002, founded the International Center for Decision and Risk Analysis.

Both studies will be conducted by ICDRiA’s director, Dr. Alain Bensoussan, who joined the UTD faculty in 2004 after heading the European Space Agency (ESA) from 1999 to 2002.

Bensoussan founded ICDRiA at the UTD School of Management a year ago.  The center conducts research and serves as a forum for the exchange of knowledge on the subject of risk as it relates to large-investment industrial projects that involve new technologies, applications and markets.  ICDRiA also has an industry board of advisors headed by the chief executive officer of Alcatel North America, Hubert de Pesquidoux.

Bensoussan’s interest in problems of risk grew out of his experience with the ESA and with the French Space Agency, of which he was president from 1996 to 2003, as well as from his extensive research background.  He is professor emeritus at the University of Paris Dauphine and is a member of the French Academy of Sciences, the French Academy of Technology, the Academia Europae and the International Academy of Astronautics.  In addition, he is a recipient of the Von Humboldt Award, and he holds a National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) public service medal.

The two French-funded studies bring to four the number of grants ICDRiA has been awarded since its founding. Aerospace and defense company EADS North America and its parent company, EADS, have contributed $120,000 in support of ICDRiA’s efforts, and the European Space Agency has awarded the center 80,000 euros ($104,800) to study how risk management and decision analysis performed in several industry sectors might apply to the agency.

UTD School of Management Dean Dr. Hasan Pirkul praised ICDRiA’s efforts and pointed out that as one of 12 research centers in his school, ICDRiA not only fosters research in its areas of interest but also provides “real value” to industry by offering training and the ability to carry out projects relevant to industry’s needs.

About the UTD School of Management

Based on publications in the top 22 business journals spanning all areas of business, The University of Texas at Dallas School of Management faculty ranks 37th in research productivity nationwide. Financial Times, using a broader set of 40 journals, ranks UTD’s management faculty 32nd worldwide. Financial Times also ranks The UTD Executive MBA program 46th in the world and 25th in the US, and U.S. News and World Report ranks the school’s Cohort MBA program among the top 35 at public colleges and universities in the nation. The School of Management is the largest of UTD’s seven schools, with an enrollment of nearly 4,700, of which 2,500 are graduate students.

About UTD

The University of Texas at Dallas, located at the convergence of Richardson, Plano and Dallas
in the heart of the complex of major multinational technology corporations known as the Telecom Corridor, enrolls nearly 14,500
students. The school’s freshman class traditionally stands at the forefront of Texas state universities in terms of average SAT scores. The university offers a broad assortment of bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs. For additional information about UTD, please visit the university’s website at www.utdallas.edu.