1 NEGEVNOW PRESIDENT’S REPORT 2014 NEGEVNOW BGU BELIEVES THAT DEVELOPING THE NEGEV WILL DO MORE THAN JUST BENEFIT THE REGION. IT WILL STRENGTHEN ISRAEL AS A WHOLE AND BE A “LIGHT UNTO THE NATIONS.” RANKED AS ONE OF THE WORLD’S TOP UNIVERSITIES UNDER 50 YEARS OLD, BGU ASPIRES TO BE A LEADING RESEARCH INSTITUTION THAT IMPACTS PEOPLE’S LIVES – THROUGH ACCESSIBLE EDUCATION, GROUND-BREAKING RESEARCH AND AN EMPHASIS ON SOCIAL JUSTICE. IN 2013, THE UNIVERSITY DOUBLED ITS PHYSICAL SIZE WITH THE ADDITION OF THE NEW NORTH CAMPUS. WITH THE OPENING OF THE ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES PARK AND THE MOVE OF THE ISRAEL DEFENSE FORCES TO THE SOUTH, INTERNATIONAL COMPANIES AND GOVERNMENT AGENCIES ARE LEVERAGING THE PROXIMITY TO BGU TO OPEN RESEARCH FACILITIES IN THE REGION. BGU IS REALIZING ITS MISSION, IMPROVING PEOPLE'S LIVES IN ISRAEL AND AROUND THE WORLD. THE NEGEV IS NOW NORTHERN NEGEV RAMOT NEIGHBORHOOD BEER-SHEVA ILLUSTRATION OF THE FUTURE NORTH CAMPUS MARCUS FAMILY CAMPUS TRAIN LINE NEGEVNOW PRESIDENT’S REPORT 2014 ILLUSTRATION OF FUTURE CONFERENCE CENTER ON THE NORTH CAMPUS From the Chairman 8 From the President 9 BGU by the Numbers 10 Senior Administration 14 Campus Construction 16 The Spark of Innovation 18 A Game-Changing Approach 20 A History of Change 22 Breaking the Glass Ceiling 24 International Academic Affairs 26 New and Noteworthy 29 Community Outreach 39 Student Life 44 Recognizing our Friends 49 Board of Governors 77 Associates Organizations 80 ALUMNINOW BGU ALUMNI CARE. THEY GET INVOLVED. THEY PURSUE THEIR PASSIONS. THEY WORK TO IMPROVE THEIR WORLD. WE SALUTE OUR ALUMNI WHO ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE. Focused on Sustainability 23 28 In the Business of Caring Produced by the Department of Publications and Serial Entrepreneurs 35 Media Relations Faye Bittker, Director In coordination with the Department of Donor and Help for the Disabled 37 Associates Affairs Jill Ben-Dor, Director Editor: Faye Bittker First Woman Bedouin Gynecologist 38 Copy writers: Ehud Zion Waldoks, Patricia Golan Member of Knesset, Yesh Atid Party 43 Translation: Jacqueline Watson-Alloun Production: Liat Mhadipour Fighting Terror in Cyberspace 48 Photos: Dani Machlis, Wolfgang Motzafi-Haller, Albatross Aerial Photography Concept and Design: www.Image2u.co.il NEGEVNOW 8 PRESIDENT’S REPORT 2014 9 FROM THE FROM THE CHAIRMAN PRESIDENT I have been involved with Ben- The realization of all of the outstanding supporters with the Over the past year I have had possible. Our impact factor can Key research collaborations Gurion University of the Negev for achievements to date have establishment of a new giving to decide whether to pursue a be judged by the people who are with some of the world’s most over forty years, and I have had demanded substantial investment society – The President's Pillars. third term. I could not escape the being transformed by our actions, prestigious universities have the great privilege of watching it in buildings, infrastructure, At the same time we continue to feeling that leaving now would whether they are students who been undertaken reflecting shape into the great and inspiring maintenance, scientific equipment develop our Board of Governors be premature as so many of the are acquiring life skills and a world the quality and initiative of our institution it is today. and research funds, all of which membership, welcoming caring, projects I have undertaken are only class education; researchers who exceptional researchers. As part could not have been made possible dynamic individuals who are ready now realizing their full potential. have the facilities and support to of our long-term strategic plan, Excellence, inspiration, innovation without the care, concern and to contribute in many different ways There is a feeling of momentum engage in cutting-edge research; we are investing in our human and creativity are the theme of support of our worldwide family. to the future success of BGU. – of the Negev at the forefront or members of the local and world capital – expanding programs to this year's meeting of the Board of Israel’s development – that is community who benefit from a enrich faculty members, improve of Governors and all are to be Last year President Carmi wrote Prof. Rivka Carmi is a kindred spirit due in no small degree to BGU’s myriad of University programs and teaching skills and advance women found in abundance here. BGU that 2012 had been a “building to our founders in her ambitions leadership role in the region. accomplishments. in academic positions. Beit Fanny – leads the Negev region and is a year” with cranes crisscrossing the and vision for BGU. I am delighted the University’s new daycare center beacon to the nation in initiatives campus. This effort has continued to be by her side as she begins It is with a genuine sense of Educated in an environment that – is now working at full capacity to for sharing knowledge to combat throughout 2013. I do hope that her third term of office with responsibility that I embark on my encourages critical thinking with enhance our ability to attract the desertification and manage water during these few days of the undiminished enthusiasm for what third term, more convinced than a social conscience, we are proud very best academic and technical resources, in building bridges Board of Governors meeting, you the future may hold. ever that a first-class university that of our alumni who are making a staff. We have expanded our efforts between academia and industry will find time to walk around and is a world leader in research has a difference in the world and have to attract international students and reducing inequality through take in all the extraordinary new However, responsibility for BGU's role to play in strengthening Israel. highlighted a number of them in for both short- and long-term community action. developments. future is not hers alone. Our these pages. programs and advanced degree efforts must continue, new dreams The catch phrase in academia programs, creating a truly global In November 1968 David Ben- The media has made much of Beer- must flourish, and all members today is “impact factor.” Budgets This is the year of the Negev. BGU community. Gurion wrote in a letter to friends Sheva emerging as the National of the Board of Governors need and prestige are being judged has played and continues to play overseas about the "unique Cyber Capital, and if you look to be active supporters of this by a mathematical formulation a key role in bringing the Israel This year’s report details a number scientific and educational just across the Mexico Bridge you outstanding University. Together, that determines the extent to Defense Forces and international of these accomplishments, many enterprise in the wilderness," and can see the impressive Advanced and only together, can we fulfill which published research is being companies to the region. Building of which would not be possible went on to say that "apart from the Technologies Park housing the our mission to educate the future disseminated in the scientific on our successful collaboration without the support of our friends. serious problems of security, peace Deutsche Telekom Innovation decision makers, managers, community through academic with Deutsche Telekom, we have You are our partner in realizing our and aliyah with which I am deeply Laboratories, among others. On thinkers, scholars and leaders of journals. But this kind of dry recently expanded work with EMC- mission as a pro-active university preoccupied, the development of this side of the bridge you can Israel. evaluation misses the critical RSA and introduced new research with an impact factor that improves both the Negev and Sede Boqer visit the new Student Support nature of an institution like Ben- programs with IBM and Lockheed the lives of people in the region have for the last several years been Center for students with special Gurion University of the Negev Martin. and around the world. the greatest hope in my life and needs and the Ruth and Heinz- – a university that goes one step my most intimate and deepest Horst Deichmann Classroom and further and judges itself on its The physical signs of growth are Thank you for your support and concern." I believe that all of us Computer Lab Building, which impact on the community and, everywhere, from the infrastructure friendship. who are involved today with BGU provides much needed resources truth be told, on the world! work on the North Campus to the share that sentiment. for current and future students. ongoing building of the impressive We hold ourselves to this higher new Advanced Technologies The success and achievements standard while dedicating ourselves Park. New buildings have been of BGU belong to all those who to our core values as a university completed on the Marcus Family choose to give of themselves and – investing in advanced research Campus and in Sede Boqer, while a contribute to a great cause and and the highest level of teaching number of new projects are now in Alexander M. Goren Prof. Rivka Carmi this year we applaud a group of the planning stages as we build for the future. NEGEVNOW 10 PRESIDENT’S REPORT 2014 11 TOTAL EXTERNAL BGU BY THE RESEARCH FUNDING ($US M) Grants and contracts NUMBERS Other sources Ben-Gurion University of the Negev is in a continual state of growth, investing in the very best academic staff and research facilities to enhance the overall educational 11.4 70.6 TOTAL INVESTMENT 2012/13 experience. With an emphasis on developing our core strengths, we have recruited IN RESEARCH ($US M) 13.4 67.9 many new outstanding scholars and scientists who have attracted significant funding 2011/12 Total External Research Funding from highly competitive funding sources.