In recent years, the academic world has witnessed the rise of the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement, a campaign that aims to isolate Israel in various spheres, including academia. Initiated in 2005, BDS was founded with the intention of applying economic and political pressure on Israel, but it has since become a tool for anti-Israeli encampments, particularly in the United States and Europe and especially since the October 7 Hamas-led attack on Israel and the subsequent war with Gaza. “These movements, which often operate under the guise of human rights advocacy, target Israeli academics and institutions, undermining the universal...

Prof. Emeritus Michael Sofer from Bar-Ilan University recently visited Slovakia as part of an academic collaboration supported by the European Union’s Erasmus+ grant scheme. His trip included meeting colleagues at two universities: Constantine the Philosopher University (CPU) in Nitra and the Catholic University in Ružomberok, and exploring Jewish heritage in the country. Prof. Michael Sofer and Assoc Prof. Martina Pavlíková met with Amb. Eitan Levon, the Ambassador of Israel to Slovakia (center) at the Israeli Embassy Prof. Sofer, a distinguished academic in the Department of Geography at BIU, also serves as the chair of the Israel National Committee of the...

In a significant move to bridge language barriers and enhance international academic opportunities, American philanthropist David Magerman has pledged $1 million to Bar-Ilan University. This generous donation, made through Magerman's Tzemach David Foundation, aims to support programs that facilitate the integration of English-speaking students into Hebrew-language degree programs. The gift, announced by the American Friends of Bar-Ilan University, will primarily fund Hebrew-language studies for American and other English-speaking students. David Magerman, a computer scientist and co-founder of the venture capital fund Differential Ventures, expressed his vision for the gift: "This is a critical moment for Jewish American philanthropists. If even...

Nearly 30 US undergraduate students from the US recently participated in the 14th annual Summer Science Research Internship Program, a joint Bar-Ilan University-Yeshiva University initiative. This program enables students to gain hands-on experience in emerging scientific fields while being mentored by Israel’s finest scientists. This year’s cohort is comprised of students from Yeshiva College, Stern College for Women, Columbia University, Cornell University, Rutgers University, The Cooper Union, Queens College, Brooklyn College, Touro College, Lander College, and the State University of New York at Binghamton. During the seven-week research experience, the students conducted intensive internships in STEM research with faculty members...

In July 2024, Israel welcomed distinguished delegations from the embassies of Georgia and  Japan, highlighting the importance of international collaboration through innovative research and shared goals. These visits underscored the vital connections between these nations and emphasized their commitment to advancing sustainability and scientific inquiry. The visit from the Embassy of Georgia, led by Amb. Zaza Kandelaki, Ambassador of Georgia in Israel, showcased an ambitious agenda to fortify ties with Israeli institutions. Key moments included a tour of solar farms in collaboration with Dr. Yariv Ben-Naim from the Faculty of Life Sciences. This visit illustrated a shared vision for renewable...

My name is Chloe Schwartz. I am originally from the U.S. and am currently living in Tel Aviv, Israel. I studied Political Science and Communication at BIU and graduated with honors in 2022. I now work in cybersecurity as a Cyber Threat Intelligence Analyst, applying strategic insights gained from my studies in Political Science. My education allowed me to explore politics from diverse global perspectives. I also had the opportunity to work at BIU’s Begin-Sadat Center for Strategic Studies (BESA) and even traveled to Slovakia to discuss Hybrid Warfare. Additionally, during my time at BIU, I gained valuable experience working...

Bar-Ilan University has received a $260 million donation, the largest bequest ever to Bar-Ilan University, and one of the largest donations ever made to an Israeli university. The anonymous donor, a North American Jew and graduate of Columbia University who was active in World War II, saw Israel as a safe haven for the Jewish people and was committed to its economic and social stability. He believed in the power of science to strengthen Israel’s technological resilience and chose Bar-Ilan University as the research institution best able to realize this vision. Prof. Arie Zaban, BIU President, announced the donation at...

Bar-Ilan University actively contributes to fostering strong relationships between Israel and other nations. As part of this effort, the university frequently welcomes distinguished guests, including ambassadors to Israel, embassy staff, international organizations, and foundations. By forging connections with leading universities in these countries, Bar-Ilan aims to reinforce existing collaborations and partnerships, while also establishing new ones. In doing so, the university showcases its pioneering research endeavors across diverse fields. These collaborative initiatives encompass a wide range of activities, including research collaborations, student and faculty exchanges, and reciprocal academic visits. Through these engagements, Bar-Ilan University remains committed to promoting international cooperation...

In a bid to deepen ties and explore new opportunities, the newly appointed Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to Israel, Daulet Yemberdiyev, embarked on a visit to Bar-Ilan University. The purpose of this visit was to familiarize himself with the university, reinforce existing partnerships between Kazakhstan and Bar-Ilan, and seek out new avenues of collaboration with higher education institutions in the country. Accompanying Ambassador Daulet Yemberdiyev from the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan were Mukhtar Yskak, Counselor, and Abzal Sariyev, Third Secretary; a delegation keen on reinforcing the relationship between Kazakhstan and Israel in the field of education....

Bar-Ilan University participated in the European Institute of Innovation and Technology’s DETECT! consortium meeting at the University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, Czechia, in May 2024. DETECT! is a project of the EIT’s Higher Education Institutions (HEI) initiative. The DETECT! consortium aims to connect HEIs’ strength in deep-tech fields with entrepreneurship-related schemes, industry partners, and third-sector organizations. Their vision until 2030 is to create an integral innovation ecosystem by connecting with innovation engines in the deep-tech sector at multiple levels. They also strive to become a one-stop source for innovation in the deep-tech sector by systemizing all support services, training,...