# Daniel Laurent

> French university leader

**Wikidata**: [Q62730981](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q62730981)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/daniel-laurent

## Summary
Daniel Laurent is a French university leader, computer scientist, and academic born in 1942 in Marseille. He served as President of the University of Paris-Est Marne-la-Vallée from 1989 to 1996 and was appointed Officer of the Legion of Honour in 1996. Laurent holds a doctorate in computer science and heuristics from Paris Diderot University (1971).

## Biography
- Born: November 11, 1942, Marseille, France
- Nationality: France
- Education: Doctorate in computer science and heuristics, Paris Diderot University (1971)
- Known for: University leadership, serving as President of the University of Paris-Est Marne-la-Vallée
- Employer(s): University of Paris-Est Marne-la-Vallée
- Field(s): Computer science, heuristics, higher education administration

## Contributions
Laurent's most significant contributions lie in university leadership and administration. He served as the President of the University of Paris-Est Marne-la-Vallée (now part of Université Gustave Eiffel) for seven years, from 1989 until 1996, when he was succeeded by Dominique Perrin. His academic contributions include earning a doctorate in 1971 from Paris Diderot University, with a focus on computer science and heuristics, a field concerned with problem-solving and self-learning systems. He has been recognized for his service to education and public life.

## FAQs
**Q: What was Daniel Laurent's role in French higher education?**
Daniel Laurent was a university leader who served as the President of the University of Paris-Est Marne-la-Vallée from 1989 to 1996.

**Q: What is his academic background?**
He earned a doctorate in computer science and heuristics from Paris Diderot University in 1971 and works as a university teacher and computer scientist.

**Q: Has Daniel Laurent received any national honors?**
Yes, he was appointed an Officer of the Legion of Honour on December 31, 1996.

## Why They Matter
Daniel Laurent matters for his sustained leadership in French higher education during a formative period for the University of Paris-Est Marne-la-Vallée. His presidency, lasting seven years, provided stability and direction to the institution. As a computer scientist with a doctorate focused on heuristics obtained as early as 1971, he also represents the early academic establishment of computer science as a discipline in France. His recognition as an Officer of the Legion of Honour underscores his significant contributions to French society and education.

## Notable For
*   **University President**: Served as the president of the University of Paris-Est Marne-la-Vallée from 1989 to 1996.
*   **Legion of Honour**: Appointed Officer of the French Legion of Honour in 1996.
*   **Early Computer Science Doctorate**: Earned a doctorate in computer science and heuristics from Paris Diderot University in 1971.
*   **Academic Career**: A long-standing career as a university teacher and computer scientist.

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Daniel-Nicolas Laurent was born on November 11, 1942, in Marseille, France. He pursued higher education in Paris, earning a doctorate in 1971 from Paris Diderot University. His doctoral studies focused on computer science and heuristics, a field involving problem-solving approaches and self-learning systems.

### Career and Leadership
Laurent is primarily identified as a French university leader and computer scientist. His most prominent role was as the President of the University of Paris-Est Marne-la-Vallée. He held this position from 1989 to 1996. Following his term, he was succeeded by Dominique Perrin. Throughout his career, he has been affiliated with the industrial and service sectors common to computer scientists, and he has been profiled in various French publications such as *Les Echos* and *L'Étudiant*.

### Awards and Recognition
In recognition of his service, Daniel Laurent was appointed an Officer of the Legion of Honour (*Officier de la Légion d'honneur*) on December 31, 1996. This is one of France's highest civilian decorations. He also holds a biography ID (9700) in the Who's Who in France, with his entry dating back to 1979.

### Professional Identifiers and Profiles
Laurent's career is documented through numerous academic and library identifiers:
*   **ISNI**: 0000000364472026
*   **VIAF ID**: 228707535
*   **IdRef (Sudoc)**: 082953422
*   **Bibliothèque nationale de France (BnF)**: 124912641
*   **Persée Author ID**: 279338
*   **Theses.fr Person ID**: 082953422
*   **Wikidata Description**: French university leader
*   **Who's Who in France Biography ID**: 9700

## References

1. Who's Who in France
2. [BnF authorities](https://catalogue.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/cb124912641)