India, March 29 -- Columbia University's interim president Katrina Armstrong stepped down from her position and the co-chair of the board of trustees, Claire Shipman, was named acting president instead, effective immediately, according to a statement from the university on Friday.

Katrina Armstrong will return to her role leading the university's Irving Medical Center, the statement said. "Dr Armstrong accepted the role of interim president at a time of great uncertainty for the University and worked tirelessly to promote the interests of our community," said the chair of the board of trustees, David J Greenwald.

"Katrina has always given her heart and soul to Columbia. We appreciate her service and look forward to her continued contrib...