By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo

Busan University of Foreign Studies recently announced that it has appointed Israeli Ambassador to Korea Akiva J. Tor as a special professor.

At the ceremony, the two sides agreed to work closely together to foster creative and convergent talents required by the future society, expecting synergies between Israel's advanced education system and Busan University of Foreign Studies’ PSC (Problem finding & solving, self-learning, collaboration) education philosophy.

Ambassador Akiva Tor said, “I am impressed by Busan University of Foreign Studies’ PSC education philosophy, and I would like to share Israel's startup culture and innovative education system with Busan University to open a new chapter of educational cooperation between our two countries.”

“We are very pleased to have the Israeli ambassador as a special professor,” said President of Busan University of Foreign Studies Jang Sun-heung. ”Through this collaboration, we will introduce Israel's innovative education model to enhance PSC education and support our students to compete confidently on the global stage as Busan University of Foreign Studies strives to become a leading talent training institution in the global era.”

Previously Akiva served as Head of Bureau for World Jewish Affairs and World Religions at the Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Consul General of Israel in San Francisco, Director of the Israel Economic and Cultural Office in Taipei, Deputy Director for Palestinian Affairs in the Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and as World Jewish Affairs Adviser to the President of Israel.

Akiva is a graduate of the Harvard University Kennedy School of Government, and holds an MA degree from Hebrew University in Jewish political thought and a BA from Columbia University in general philosophy.