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Appointment of Lecturership in Islamic Studies

28 November 2007

Ron Fairchild, Orhan Cicek, Professor Adam Shoemaker, Dr Salih Yucel and Professor Constant Mews at the launch of a new lectureship in Islamic Studies at Monash.

A distinguished audience of international visitors and members of the Monash community were present at the announcement of the appointment of Dr Salih Yucel to the new position of Lecturer in Islamic Studies.

The announcement, by Professor Adam Shoemaker, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) was made to a packed audience in the Burchill Room at the Performing Arts Complex.

The position has been externally funded by the Australian Intercultural Society (AIS) and is for a three-year term. The lectureship will be attached to the Centre for Studies in Religion and Theology, located within the School of Historical Studies.

Professor Rae Frances, Dean of the Faculty of Arts, in an earlier statement said she was extremely pleased to announce the appointment of Dr Salih Yucel to the new position of Lecturer in Islamic Studies.

Among those in attendance were Professor Shoemaker; Mr Ron Fairchild, Vice-President, Advancement; Orhan Cicek, Executive Advisor, AIS; and Professor Constant Mews, Director of the Centre for Studies in Religion and Theology.

Professor Shoemaker and Professor Mews spoke about the importance of the lectureship to Monash and how it would continue to build its reputation as a leading international institution.

Dr Yucel, an Australian citizen, has been educated in Turkey, Australia and the United States. He has a Bachelor of Divinity from the University of Ankara, a Master of Theology from the University of Sydney, and a Doctor of Ministry from Boston University.

His doctoral thesis investigated the effects of prayer on Muslim patients' well being. At Monash, Dr Yucel will be pursuing research into the memories of Australian Muslim migrants.

Professor Mews said the appointment was a significant development for the University. "This represents a major step forward for Monash in developing Islamic studies within the Faculty of Arts, and for promoting the cause of inter-religious dialogue," he said.

"Monash already has an established research strength in the field of culture and belief. The endowment of a new lecturership in Islamic Studies will enable Monash to develop an area that is already attracting wide interest within and outside the University.

"The new appointee will be involved in developing relationships with the various Islamic communities in Melbourne as well as with teaching at undergraduate and graduate level."