Haim Koren is a senior Israeli diplomat and an authority on Arabic Studies. He has served as the ambassador of Israel to the Republic of Egypt between 2014 and 2016. Before that, he had been designated as the ambassador of Israel to South Sudan, director of the Middle East Branch of the Political Research Centre of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Israel, the political secretary and deputy spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He also had been engaged in diplomatic work in Chicago and Kathmandu.
In the meantime, as an expert in Arabic Studies, his research deeply focuses on Arabia media, Israeli Arabs and Palestinians, radical Islam, political history in the Middle East, Middle East tribal society, Islamic Sufi religion in the Middle East, and other issues related to the Middle East.
In late May, professor Haim Koren came to Chengdu, bringing lectures on history of Middle East for universities in Sichuan. The lectures were held on the afternoon of 22th and 24th in Sichuan University and University of Electronic Science and Technology of China respectively. With the theme of Middle East History: Geopolitical, Political, Cultural, Mythological and Historical Heritage, professor Koren analyzed current hotspots in Middle East, and discussed the situation, political trend of thought in the region and the foreign policy of Israel with students.
Chengdu University and Xihua University also saw splendid speeches on Middle East when Prof. Koren gradually unfolded the history scroll of the region for students there. This historical experience was new to students, which shall promote the further cultural communication between Israel and China. DCG Uri Zirinski accompanied to the lectures and delivered a speech, and he showed warm welcome for students who are willing to travel and study in Israel.
At Sichuan University and University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, professor Haim Koren and Mr. Uri was hired as honorary member of the Israeli Research Center Committee of UESTC. In future, they will positively help build the bridge connecting Israeli Research Center and institutions in Israel.