Dr Izabel Soliman, a former senior lecturer, School of Education and the Associate Dean, Faculty of Education, Health and Professional Studies passed away peacefully on 16 February at the Ken Thompson Lodge, Armidale. 

Izabel was born in Hungary and moved to Canada with her parents and sister after turbulent events in her country of birth.  She met Hani who was a postgraduate student/ academic from Egypt at the time. Later she worked as a member of the Faculty of Education, University of Alberta, Edmonton before moving to Armidale in the early-mid 70s. Initially they both lived in the Mary White College. 

 I came to know her closely when I joined the School of Education Studies in 1995 and later the School of education.  She was a member and the Coordinator of the Education Context or Contextual studies in education team.   She had worked in the Department of Education, the University of New England before amalgamating with the former College of Advance education,Armidale.  She was particularly fond of working with postgraduate students from different parts of the world as she considered this as a way to share her knowledge and approach to education.

At one time, Izabel was the co-editor of the journal- Higher education.  She edited Interrogating Common sense – a text used in teacher education courses and the co-editor of a book about academic women at UNE.   For a period, she functioned as the Director, Teaching and Learning Centre of the University.

I found Izabel to be a committed and dedicated colleague, critical educationist and a feminist who was primarily focused on social justice issues affecting various marginalised groups in society, schools and other educational institutions.  Her teaching and research as well as Committee contributions reflected this interest.  She spoke her mind without fear or favour inside the university and outside.  Izabel participated in many community organisations including the Armidale Harmony Group and NERAM with her husband Hani. 

The last few years of her life had been a struggle with the impact of dementia and what it does to memory and the innate capacity of an individual to function normally. Nonetheless she enjoyed life with Hani visiting the Armidale Mall each day to collect mail, enjoy a coffee and lunch and talk with friends. Boo books in the mall was one of her popular venues. In her later life, although she wanted to visit her sister in Canada, it was not possible due to the pandemic and her ill health.  She liked gardening especially in the spring and summer seasons.  

Many of Izabel’s colleagues and friends will be saddened to learn about her passing.

May she attain eternal peace!

 – Dr. Siri Gamage, Armidale