JERUSALEM, April 11 (Xinhua) -- Mouna Maroun, a globally renowned researcher in neuroscience and post-trauma, was appointed as the rector of Israel's University of Haifa (UH), making her the first Israeli Arab to hold the rector position in one of the Jewish state's universities, UH said in a statement.

"I commit to continuing to be a beacon of science and excellence in the heart of the north, promoting a common, real, and daily existence between members of all religions and denominations in Israel," said Maroun.

Maroun, 53, currently serves as UH vice president, dean of research and development, and a professor in the university's neurobiology department.

Born in the Arab-Druze town of Isfiya in northern Israel, Maroun has also worked to advance higher education within Arab communities in Israel, particularly by encouraging young Arab women to pursue scientific fields, particularly neuroscience, according to the UH statement.

The current UH rector, Gur Alroey, will assume the position of UH president in October of this year and will be replaced by Maroun as rector.

"At our university, the right person can be a man or a woman, a Jew or an Arab. It really does not matter and is not important. This is the meaning of our common existence," said Alroey.

UH President Ron Rubin said, "This is an important day for the university and for the entire Israeli society." Enditem

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