18 April 2007
Monash University's Vice-Chancellor, Professor Richard Larkins, today announced the appointment of Professor Fania Oz-Salzberger to the Leon Liberman Chair of Modern Israel Studies in the Australian Centre for Jewish Civilisation.
Professor Larkins said that Professor Oz-Salzberger was an outstanding appointee.
"Professor Oz-Salzberger is highly respected academically and in the public arena, with research and teaching in European and Jewish intellectual history, Israeli current affairs as well as the contemporary links between Israel and Europe and their origins," Professor Larkins said.
Professor Larkins said the appointment was the continuation of significant relationships between Monash and Israeli universities, and would enable Monash to position itself as a major international research centre for the study of Jewish Civilisation.
"Professor Oz-Salzberger will be instrumental in the growth of the centre. She will develop a new stream of research and teaching in Modern Israel Studies, increasing opportunities for graduate and undergraduate students to study at both Monash and the University of Haifa, capitalising on her dual appointment at both universities by bringing significant guest scholars to Monash and Monash students to Haifa."
The endowment for the Chair was made by Ms Lee Liberman in memory of her late husband Leon, who was a prominent Australian businessman and graduated from Monash with a Bachelor of Economics in 1969.
Ms Liberman said: "The Chair of Modern Israel Studies will provide an opportunity to advance a rounded and multi dimensional discourse with the Modern State of Israel -- one of the most diverse and complex of modern societies. The Research Chair will be a source of major significance for Australian society."
The Acting Director of the Centre for Jewish Civilisation, Professor David Copolov, said that the appointment of Professor Oz-Salzberger would help strengthen Monash's reputation as a trusted source of expert, dispassionate commentary on key issues of contemporary international relevance.
"As well as her excellent standing as a teacher and researcher, Professor Oz-Salzberger has had a distinguished and influential presence in the media," Professor Copolov said.
Professor Oz-Salzberger will commence her appointment on the 1st of July. She will continue to work in a number of roles in the School of History, Faculty of Law at the University of Haifa, Israel including as Director of the Posen Forum for Jewish European and Israeli Political Thought.
Professor Oz-Salzberger graduated BA in history and philosophy and MA in modern history at Tel Aviv University.
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