06/04/2022

The State President and His Wife Hosted the Ceremony for Exchange of Higher Education Council

The State President, Yitzhak Herzog, and his wife Michael, hosted today, Tuesday, 4 Nisan, 5 April, the ceremony for exchange of the Higher Education Council, ahead of conclusion of the 13th council and commencement of the 14th council. The ceremony was also attended by the Minister of Education, Dr. Yifat Shasha Biton, the Chairman of the Budgeting and Planning Committee, Prof. Yosi Mekori, and heads of the higher education institutions.

The President referred to the importance of the Higher Education Council and said: "The universities, the colleges, the research and study institutions, the Israeli academic world in general, have become one of the most important elements of our state, and have become the beautiful face of Israel worldwide. This cannot be taken for granted. Academy, research and study warrant investment. In the exact sciences, humanities and social sciences, in all shades and fields of the higher education system. The academia reflects society and contributes to design of our image as a nation and a state."

The President added: "Distinguished and sensitive academia means distinguished and sensitive society. The challenges of the higher education system are, of course, beyond that. In a world in which the young generation pursues the hi-tech fields, the reinforcement of social sciences and humanities is more important than ever".

The President greeted the new council members and said: "Members of the Higher Education Council, I am certain that the values and excellence will guide you in your important role, so that you will continue to safely lead higher education in Israel and provide the best tools and means for realization of all skills, curiosity and knowledge in our state, and lead us to new peaks and breakthrough achievements. I wish luck to you and the council. Congratulations!"

The Minister of Education, Dr. Yifat Shasha Biton: "The role of the higher education system is to serve as an anchor for development and reinforcement of the human capital that is vital for prosperity of the state, and not less importantly – for reducing gaps and developing the knowledge and research that will ensure progress and the future of the State of Israel.

We are facing vital roles and we are determined to success in our shift, including establishment of the university in the Galilee, reinforcement of the teaching colleges and training for teachers, constituting no less than a national task, and preservation of the relevance of the academia for the labor, industry and the market".

The Chairman of the Budgeting and Planning Committee, the Higher Education Council, Prof. Yosi Mekori: "I congratulate the members of the incoming council and wish them success in their important mission of nurturing and strengthening the higher education system in Israel. The quality of teaching, the accumulated knowledge and the new knowledge formed by the research activity are our insurance policy as a society. The fruits of academic study are not seen immediately, but there is no better and more certain investment for the future generations. Together we will bring the Israeli higher education system to new heights".

Appointment of the 14th Higher Education Council Members:

Dr. Yifat Shasha Biton – Minister of Education and Member of Knesset. Chairwoman of the Higher Education Council pursuant to the Higher Education Council Law.

Prof. Jihad Al Sanaa – of the Computer Science Department at Ben Gurion University, expert in visual technology. Among the pioneers of high-tech in the Arab sector in general, and the Bedouin sector in particular.

Prof. Avi Besser – Prof. Besser was born, raised, educated and established his home in Dimona. He is a full professor, expert educational psychologist, esteemed researcher having international reputation in the field of research on the psychology of the personality. Prof. Besser served as the Deputy President for Academic Matters (Rector) at the Sapir Academic College in Sderot, and currently heads the Speech Therapy Department, which trains speech therapists, at the Hadassah Academic College, Jerusalem.

Prof. Idit Tshuva – of the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Chairs the Lester Ehrenberg Cathedral for Applied Chemistry, Chemistry Institute, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Engages in instruction and research in the field of bio-non-organic chemistry, which includes developments based on coordinative chemistry of metals beyond uses in the fields of biology and medicine.

Dr. Ofri Haivri – The Deputy President of the Herzl Institute.
Served as a member of the Higher Education Council in the 11th, 12th and 13th councils. As part of his activity as a council member, he served in several sub-committees of the council.

Prof. Rivka Vadmani Shauman – associate professor from the Education Department at Ariel University. Served as deputy chairperson of the Higher Education Council and member of the Planning and Budgeting Committee. Member of the 12th and 13th council.

Mr. Moshe Vigdor – served as the CEO of the Mandel Israel Fund. Served as CEO of the Higher Education Council and Planning and Budgeting Committee, CEO of the Jewish Agency for the Land of Israel; CEO and Vice President of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

Mrs. Elmaz Zaro – daughter of refusenik parents, writer, poet, jurist, social activist and member of the Lod Council.

Prof. Lia Laor – lecturer and researcher in the field of musical education in the following topics: history and philosophy of musical education, training of teachers and development of professional identity and leadership among music teachers.

Prof. Shulamit Lavenberg – associate professor, head of laboratory at the faculty of biomedical engineering of the Technion. Deals with tissues from stem cells, formation of blood cells in engineered tissue, classification of cells upon polymeric scaffolds.

Prof. Asaf Meidani – associate professor at the School of Government and Society, Tel Aviv Yafo Academic College. Asaf served as the dean of the School of Government and Society and President of the Israeli Association of Political Science. His researches deal with the interface between policy and law.

Prof. Yossi Mekori – chairman of the Budgeting and Planning Committee – professor emeritus for internal medicine at the Sackler Medical School, Tel Aviv University. Today serves as the chairman of the Budgeting and Planning Committee. Served as the dean of the Tel Aviv University Faculty of Medicine and President of the Tel Hai Academic College.

Prof. Fuad Fares – associate professor, director of the molecular genetic laboratory, Human Biology Department, Natural Science Faculty, Haifa University. His studies led to the establishment of the PROLOR Company for development of recombinant proteins for treating human diseases, as well as the CANCURX Company, for development of medication for cancer.

Mr. Roey Folkman – member of the 20th and 21st Knesset on behalf of the Kulanu Party, among the founders of the "New Spirit" organization in Jerusalem.

Mr. Elchanan Feldheimer – chairman of the national student union. Master's degree student of business administration at the Ono Academic College.

Prof. Ronen Kritenstein – jurist and lawyer, staff member at the Reichman University School of Law. Served as vice dean and director of the Harry Redziner Law School and academic director of the legal clinics.

Prof. Yossi Rosenwaks – dean of the faculty of engineering, Tel Aviv University. Researcher in the fields of nanotechnology. Among his achievements – establishment of a research center for nano-satellites, including launching of a nano-satellite; establishment of a center for study of 3D printing.

Prof. Iris Shagrir – associate professor for general history. Until recently served as head of the Department of History, Philosophy and Judaism Studies, Open University. Member of the third class of the "Leaders in Academy" Program.

Prof. Shosh Shaharbani – associate professor of economics. Expert on behavioral economics and decision making. Member of the Budgeting and Planning Committee. Chairwoman of the Research and Development of International Ties Authority at the Emek Yezreel Academic College.

Prof. Dudi Schwartz – jurist. Member of the 13th higher education council. Served as rector of the Ono Academic College and President of the Heads of Non-Budgeted Higher Education Institutions. Also served as vice president of the Ono Academic College and dean of the law faculty. Also served as the dean of the law faculty, advisor to the president and rector at Bar-Ilan University.

Mr. Tom Nadil – representative of the national student union.