Bar-Ilan University released the 2024 President’s Report during the annual Board of Trustees meeting at the beginning of June. The report titled “On All Fronts” showcased the university’s extraordinary achievements over the past year focusing on the months since October 7.
According to BIU’s President, Prof. Arie Zaban, “Bar-Ilan’s contribution was felt on not only one or two, but every front. Hence the name chosen for this year’s report, which describes both our activities in the current moment as well as our ongoing efforts to lead the way toward solutions that Israel and the world need.”
The President’s Report is separated into six sections. The first is about the Executive Leadership and includes the President’s message. We’ve included links to the other sections below and a few examples from each. You can read more about these and others on the website.
War Response
Setting the Record Straight: The Campaign for International Recognition of Hamas’ Sexual Crimes
Prof. Ruth Halperin-Kaddari of the Faculty of Law’s Ruth and Emanuel Rackman Center for the Advancement of Women’s Status ensured that Hamas’ weaponization of women’s bodies on October 7th can neither be denied nor downplayed in future accounts of the terror group’s one-day genocide.
The Burden–and Comfort–of Proof: Forensic Identification of October 7th Victims
As the only expert in Israel on the human body from brain-to-toe, anatomist Dr. Alon Barash has worked every day since October 7th to identify the bodies of the murdered and the missing, and offer closure to their families.
Research and Innovation
Footloose and Eyewear Free: Nanotechnology for Vision Correction
Through his first-of-its-kind, cost-effective, and safe nanotechnology, Prof. Zeev Zalevsky is bringing eyewear- and surgery-free visual correction into sight.
Fulfilling Ben-Gurion’s Dream: Developments in Sustainable Energy
David Ben-Gurion once declared that the survival of Israel depended on three things: security, access to water, and independence in energy. Thanks to Bar-Ilan’s unparalleled excellence in national energy research, the Jewish state is getting closer to achieving this dream.
Teaching and Learning
Intellectual Safe Haven: New Programs in the International School
In response to the shocking surge in antisemitism on college campuses around the world, the International School helped multiple Bar-Ilan departments launch new undergraduate programs that combine excellence, an immersive Israel experience, and a positive atmosphere for the expression of Jewish identity.
Stronger Together: The Student Union
In the wake of October 7th, Bar-Ilan’s Student Union demonstrates that coming together to help those in need and contribute to national solidarity is one of the best ways to create a strong and inclusive community.
Campus Development
Investment: Accelerating Deep-Tech Research
In January, Mivtach Shamir Holdings, which boasts a market cap of NIS 1 billion on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange, announced a $6 million joint venture with Bar-Ilan to accelerate the launch of tech companies based on university research. With the help of Bar-Ilan’s venture builder UnBox, these startups will aim to solve problems and make key advances in biotechnology, microelectronics, photonics, materials science, and AI.
A New Home for Healthcare Breakthroughs
Building on the success of Bar-Ilan’s partnership with Sheba Medical Center to create game-changing companies, the University announced plans to establish a first-of-its-kind bio-convergence campus in Ramat Gan’s upcoming Health-Tech Valley complex. Construction on the complex—located next door to the hospital—began this year.
Friends and Supporters
Making Point-of-Care Everywhere: The Campaign for Portable Ultrasound Devices
Recognizing that a rapid diagnosis is key to decreasing mortality rates, Bar-Ilan spearheaded a successful campaign in the first weeks of the war to purchase more than 200 point-of-care ultrasound devices (POCUS) for distribution to combat medics.
Holding the Financial Front Line: Scholarships for Reservists
Using a $4.3 million emergency fund raised by its global network of supporters, Bar-Ilan provided scholarships and other financial benefits to nearly 4,000 students who had been drafted into reserve duty.
