The Minister of Education, Dr. Yifat Shasha-Biton, toured the Hebrew University’s Safra Campus at Givat Ram and heard from leading researchers about some of the ground-breaking research taking place at the University.  Accompanying the visit were Prof. Asher Cohen, President of the University, Prof. Barak Medina, Rector, Yishai Fraenkel, Vice President and Director General, and Prof. Mona Khoury-Kassabri, Vice President for Strategy and Diversity.

In the course of the visit, the Minister was introduced to the research work of Prof. Naomi Habib in her laboratory in the Edmond and Lily Safra Center for Brain Sciences, and also to the work of Prof. Uriel Levy, Director of the University’s Center for Nano-Science and Nano-Technology who explained to her about the complex and exact work required with nano-particles.

Prof. Asher Cohen, President of the Hebrew University, told the Minister about the history of the University and the work and research being carried out at each of the six campuses throughout Israel.  In addition, he detailed the place that the University provides for practicality and applicability of the knowledge accumulated in technological advancement: “At this time the “HUJI Park” is under construction at the Safra Campus, an innovative park designed for elite industry.  In this compound there will be about 10,000 job openings and the demand for it by hi-tech companies and industrial entities is very great, as its proximity to the University makes accessible not only vast knowledge for technological innovation, but also a community of talented students who are advancing this knowledge and moving it onward.  Our student population for engineering and computer sciences, for example, are greatly in demand in the employment market and this is an opportunity for the industry figures to get to know them”.

“Our vision is to widen even further the achievements that develop out of the research taking place in the University.  In addition to the HUJI-Tech Park there are additional projects devoted to this goal, for example, the Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation operating in the University for a number of years.  We are creating an eco-system of innovation in Jerusalem.”

The Minister said “I am very impressed with the information I received here.  The importance that the University gives to the interface between the academy and its research and industry and the practical dimension is very significant to its contribution to the community and to the State.”