A Turning Point Year for the University

We are pleased to report on a number of exciting developments that will shape the University’s academic and physical landscape for years to come.

Plans for a major multi-campus expansion, the addition of new academic disciplines, and new global developments will chart a new course for the University’s future.

Academic merger agreements with highly respected institutes ORT Braude College (OBC) and the NB Haifa School of Design (WIZO) are underway. The merger plans will transform the University into a local and regional powerhouse, further deepening our engagement in the civic and cultural life of the city of Haifa and the Galilee. Not only will our current student body of 18,000 grow by 3,000, our academic offerings will extend into new important fields – engineering, architecture and design. Under the agreements, both institutes will become University faculties while continuing to operate from their current locations. Tapping into OBC’s engineering talent pool and WIZO’s expertise in diverse design disciplines and cutting-edge teacher training programs will usher in a new era of education, research and innovation at the University.

In addition, discussions are underway with the renowned Rambam Health Care Campus, the largest medical center in Israel’s north, to build a joint 20-story building in Haifa for translational research in health sciences and public health. This partnership promises to propel a quantum leap for the University in the fields of biotechnology and healthcare.

Along with strengthening academic ties in Israel, the University continues to foster strategic global partnerships. In November, Professor Gustavo Mesch signed academic agreements with three Indian universities in a range of fields including marine, computer and life sciences, during a special academic mission to India led by President Reuven Rivlin. The University is also developing academic and commercial research agreements with Zhejiang Ocean University and Mr. Zong Qing Hou, Chairman of the Hangzhou Wahaha Group Co. – a leading Chinese entrepreneur who seeks to spur high-tech initiatives in his province.

We are pleased to report on the addition of 38 new full-time faculty from leading universities and research institutions. The infusion of new talent has significantly increased the number of research grant applications submitted by our faculty members, as well as the University’s share of public funding received through the government’s Planning and Budgeting Committee research model. It has also led to the establishment of new multidisciplinary graduate programs.

Investing in research, teaching and training infrastructure remains integral to our agenda. In the past year, we completed the construction of marine laboratories at the Israel Oceanographic and Limnological Research Institute (IOLR), set the foundations for the new Faculty of Social Welfare and Health Sciences building and moved ahead with the 4-floor expansion of the Herta and Paul Amir Faculty of Social Sciences. Plans are also being finalized for the new Faculty of Law building. All of these initiatives are made possible thanks to the generosity and support of our friends in Israel and around the world.

On this occasion, I am happy to introduce Mooly (Shmuel) Eden, our new Chairman of the Executive Committee. Mooly is an extraordinary self-starter who brings with him a spirit of creativity and innovation. In addition, we welcome a new academic leadership team. Each of our newly appointed deans has made outstanding contributions to their respective fields and to the advancement of the University. Please join me in welcoming and congratulating them all.

With the start of the Spring semester, I am energized by the exciting challenges that lie ahead. I hope to see you at our upcoming 45th Annual Board of Governors Meeting in June where details of our future expansion plans will be presented.

 

Sincerely,

 

 

Ron Robin

 

Meet the DEANS

 

(l-r) *Prof. Gad Barzilai, Vice Rector and Head of the International School, Prof. Yitzhak Samuel, Dean of the Faculty of Management, *Prof. Eran Vigoda-Gadot, Dean of the Herta and Paul Amir Faculty of Social Sciences, *Prof. Onn Winckler, Assistant Rector, *Prof. Oren Gazal-Ayal, Dean of the Faculty of Law, *Prof. Gur Alroey, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities, Prof. Edi Barkai, Dean of the Faculty of Natural Sciences, *Prof. Hanan Alexander, Dean of the Faculty of Education, *Prof. Ido Izhaki, Vice-President and Dean of Research, *Prof. Faisal Azaiza, Dean of the Faculty of Social Welfare and Health Sciences, *Prof. Jenny Kurman, Dean of Students  

 

 

 

*Prof. Lily Orland-Barak, Dean of Graduate Studies

*New appointment

 

 

 

"Together, this outstanding group

will lead our University to new heights

of excellence in teaching, research,

and civic engagement."

Prof. Gustavo Mesch

Rector