WESTERN GALILEE COLLEGE NEWSLETTER SEPTEMBER 2008 LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT Western Galilee College strives FROM THE EDITORS to bring quality education to the region’s residents, in a relaxing We are happy to renew the College’s newsletter, and supportive environment. which will serve as our way of updating you with news from Western Galilee College (WGC). Among other things, this is reflected in an extensive We would like to use this forum to announce the counseling system and the appointments of Professor Gideon Fishman development of appropriate to President of the College and Mr. Yehuda teaching methods. The College Brock as our CEO. We wish them success as invests considerable effort in they undertake their new challenges. maintaining an up-to date, user- In this issue we have mentioned a number of friendly library and provides a events and new projects which reflect the rich computerized learning system cultural mosaic of our college. that facilitates access to the syllabus and study content. Linda Futtreman, Director of International Maximum consideration is given to respond to the student’s needs and personal Relations and Chava Kochavi, Coordinator of preferences, without affecting the standard of studies. International Relations. The College is an interesting, cultural meeting point where students from diverse ethnic and religious backgrounds have the opportunity to study together, experience shared campus life, get to know one another in an unmediated forum and become familiar with the social-cultural blend that typifies the western Galilee. We are proud of the tolerant, tranquil atmosphere at the College. In the next few years the College will open new exclusive fields of study based on the advantages offered by the region and its residents. We intend to establish a Department for Conservation of Historical Sites drawing on Akko’s rich historical heritage; a degree program in Theater and Performing Arts which will include specializations in educational theater, movement and dance which will be based on Akko’s tradition as the home of Fringe Theater and the nationally renowned Kibbutz Ga’aton’s dance group. Furthermore, the first School of Management in the Galilee, will be built on the College campus, emphasizing financial management and entrepreneurship. I firmly believe that the College will be the leading institute it set out to be, offering a respected home of excellence for thousands of students, researchers and creators. Prof. Gideon Fishman, WGC President Mr. Yehuda Brock, WGC CEO S H A N A T O V A countries have already signed the Agreement EACH AND EVERY of Cooperation. Among them are Belgium, STUDENT IS Denmark, Egypt, France, Hungary, Israel, Italy, IMPORTANT Portugal, Spain, Turkey and many others. WGC has launched a new unit aimed at “This is a unique effort to develop an improving achievements and reducing international university for research and the drop-out rate. academic study aimed particularly at graduate “Dropping-out is most common during students (MA), financed and encouraged by the first year of studies resulting from economic or academic hardships”, explains the European Union and with the participation Ms. Meital Roth, unit coordinator. “The of the Arab League and other countries in the aim of the unit is to provide a supportive region. This is a great opportunity for students framework and successful integration and lecturers to participate in joint research into academic studies. If the student has made the effort to apply and be accepted with scientists from partner universities” says for college, we will provide the maximum Prof. Fishman. support to prevent him/her from dropping Prof. Gideon Fishman signing the EMUNI charter. h t t p :// w w w . e m u n i . s i / e n out”. TAKING SOCIAL Criminology and the Department of External RESPONSIBILITY RESPONSIBILITY Studies at the College. WGC launched the FOR ONE’S LIFE program at the end of July with a discussion The Katzir grant program supports Western Galilee College opens a course to panel consisting of professionals and senior 31 single mothers who wish to study. certify care-workers to work with children managers from the field. Despite their difficulties in reaching their and youth at risk. objectives, these women have decided to take responsibility for their lives and The 2006 Shmid Committee report stated that Heading the program is Dr. Yaakov Reuven make a significant effort to be part of the who has recently completed his duties as academic world and start a professional there are over 330,000 children living in Israel career based on their personal interests head of the Youth Protection Authority under (i.e. 15% of all children and youth in Israel) and skills. the Ministry of Social Affairs. According to who are at high risk of being exposed to According to Dr. Nisim Lagziel, manager abuse, maltreatment, negligence and criminal Dr. Reuven, the national program for the of the unit for Social Involvement “As activity. Out of the total figure, 165,000 of care of children and juveniles at risk transfers part of the program, WGC provides a the responsibility to the public and local special course designed to reinforce the them do not receive any help. participants’ self-esteem, build their self- government thus making it necessary to confidence and teach them useful methods For the first time in Israel, WGC will offer a recruit high quality, professional personnel. for coping with daily life missions”. program which will train care-workers to work “Within the past few years, there has been WGC’S PLACEMENT with children and youth at risk. The program, an increase in violence and crime amongst CENTER designed for graduates with a bachelor degree children and juveniles, resulting in an in social and behavioral science, sociology increased percentage of children and juveniles WGC has launched a new employment, advice and job placement unit for or occupational therapy, will last two years becoming victims. All are in need of unique students and graduates. within the framework of the Department of care and intervention”, says Dr. Reuven. The Student and Graduate Placement Center was established as part of the College’s ideology to be an active partner in strengthening employment opportunities in the Western Galilee, by integrating its students and graduates in work places which are connected with their fields of study. “The services offered to students include advice and training in writing a resume, preparing for assessment tests and job interviews, running an employment forum, offering personal counseling for job seekers and referring them to relevant job- location sites as well as specific positions”, clarifies the unit’s coordinator,Ms. Dana Berger-Schwartzman. Two hundred and sixty five graduates of WGC ability to handle tasks and to achieve diverse EXCELLENCE AT were awarded academic degrees, from Bar goals which were demanded of me. I feel WGC’S GRADUATION Ilan University for the academic year 2006- greatly honored by the fact that I was given 2007. Fifty six students earned distinctions the opportunity to study at the College. CEREMONY (12 graduated summa cum laude and 44 graduated magna cum laude). …I have completed my studies with Now and then: Former MK David Koren, 91, distinction, and over the last three years a resident of Kibbutz Gesher Haziv who is The ceremony was attended by the mayor I have also taught a variety of subjects to of Akko, Mr. Shimon Lankry, representatives one of the founders of WGC, and served as students with learning difficulties. Thanks from Bar Ilan University, heads of WGC, chairperson from 1985-2003, was honoured to WGC, I received three scholarships for members of the faculty, staff and proud distinction. Next year I hope to continue my at WGC’s graduation ceremony. families. studies towards an MA at Bar Ilan University, in the Department of Jewish Philosophy on “David is a distinguished friend of the From Inbal Gur, summa cum laude graduate: the thesis track, and I now have the willpower College. He introduced a social approach that and desire to work towards a Ph.D as well. served as the basis for promoting academic “…Lack of confidence in my ability to learn education in the Galilee”, said Prof. Yuval Wolf and lack of belief in myself prevented me from Let us hope that we too can project our faith in describing Koren’s achievements. pursuing studies which would challenge my on those who lack self confidence”. IN RESPONSE TO said Dr. Cohen and added “Knowledge of WGC JOINS THE HOLOCAUST DENIAL the Holocaust is critical to understanding the FIRST EVER contemporary Israeli reality. The Holocaust CENTER FOR EURO- “The Holocaust is an integral part of the is woven into the fabric of our daily lives and the Israeli-Jewish identity”. MEDITERRAINEAN fabric of daily life in Israel. Youngsters STUDIES - EMUNI are showing ever-increasing interest in According to Mr. Simcha Stein, General the Holocaust”, says Head of the program, Director of the Ghetto Fighters’ Museum Following WGC’s joining EMUNI, a delegation Dr. Boaz Cohen. and lecturer, the program combines the headed by Slovenia’s Deputy Minister of WGC’s new program in Holocaust Studies, in resources of the Western Galilee College Higher Education, Prof. Dr. Dusan Lesjak, conjunction with the Ghetto Fighters Museum, and the Ghetto Fighters’ Museum with the visited the College in May. will be the first academic program to offer a regional hospital in Nahariya which is involved On June 9th, Mr. Eival Gilady, Chairman minor towards a B.A. degree. The program in the historical research of medicine during of WGC’s Executive Committee and will address topics such as: Nazism and the Holocaust and the unique population in Prof. Gideon Fishman, WGC President, anti-Semitism, survivors and coping, the the area characterized by large numbers attended the inauguration of the new Euro- impact of the Holocaust on Israel and the of Holocaust survivors and their second Mediterranean international university in Western world, women and children during generation.