The University of Ulster played host this week to a visit by Alon Roth-Snir, Israel's Deputy Ambassador to the UK, who visited the Belfast campus for discussions with senior social science and politics researchers.

He was welcomed to the campus by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Richard Barnett, and the Provost, Professor Alastair Adair.

The visit was the first by an Israeli diplomat to the Belfast campus, and the Deputy Ambassador was given a short tour of the facilities, as well as a briefing on the University's £250m development plans for the campus.

During the visit, Mr Roth-Snir took part in a wide-ranging round-table discussion  with senior academics from the University's Institute for Research in Social Sciences, touching on topics as diverse as Middle Eastern politics, the lessons of the Northern Ireland peace process, the future of peace walls, and more. 

Professor Alastair Adair said: "The University is delighted to welcome the Deputy Ambassador to our campus. We have a long and distinguished record of research into peace and conflict issues around the world, as well as into transitional justice and peace processes in Ireland, the UK and beyond - and were pleased to have the chance to share some of our research and insights with Deputy Ambassador Roth-Snir."

"This was a stimulating and potentially very fruitful meeting, and we look forward to exploring opportunities for future academic links with Israel."

ENDS

Caption: Israel's Deputy Ambassador Alon Roth-Snir and Ruth Fee, Head of the School of Criminology, Politics and Social Policy take part in a panel discussion at the Belfast campus. They are flanked by the Vice Chancellor, Professor Richard Barnett, and the Provost, Professor Alastair Adair.

More images from the Deputy Ambassador's visit can be seen at :

http://www.flickr.com/photos/universityofulster/sets/72157628441648465/