New UNIVERSITY OF HAIFA MAGAZINE FALL 2016 MEET THE NEW PRESIDENT PROF. RON ROBIN ISRAEL: AN OCEAN OF POSSIBILITIES IN SIGHT WITH THE NEW ARRIVAL OF SAAB SEAEYE ROV NEW HOME FOR THE FACULTY OF LAW SAVE THE DATE 45th BOARD OF GOVERNORS MEETING JUNE 6-8, 2017 HEIGHTS MAGAZINE Produced by the University of Haifa Division for External Relations & Resource Development [email protected] Design: Castronawy Photography: Ariel Warhaftig; Nitzan Zohar; University of Haifa Photo Archives Connect to the University of Haifa: facebook.com/univ.haifa.ac.il youtube.com/user/UniversityofHaifa/videos twitter.com/haifauniversity ©2016 University of Haifa Mount Carmel, Haifa 31905, Israel www.haifa.ac.il CONTENTS Meet Our New Rector: FEATURES 4 Prof. Gustavo Mesch Haifa-Shanghai Connection Unites 5 Two Universities and Two Nations Welcome Back Archeological Discoveries Make Prof. Robin 6 International Headlines 2 8 Can ‘Big Data’ Problems be Solved More Affordably? Student Spotlight: CS students turn 9 ordinary drones into ‘smart’ drones Israel Ushers in a New Realm of 13 Law & Education Spotlight Deep-Sea Exploration 14 3D Imaging Helps Recreate the Past 15 Student Spotlight: Digital self-portrait 10 series by BA Fine Art student 16 Inspiring Social Change Cornerstone Laid for the Faculty of 18 44th Board of Governors Meeting Highlights Law Building Meet the University of Haifa’s 2016 19 Honorary Doctorate Conferees 12 20 Friends Around the World MEET the PRESIDENT : PROF. RON ROBIN The University of Haifa welcomes back Prof. Ron Robin, returning to us as the University’s eleventh president Professor Ron Robin became the University of Haifa’s What are some of the University new president on October 1, 2016. He comes to us from priorities you plan to address? New York University, where he served as the Senior R.R. - It is imperative for a research university to invest Vice Provost for Global Faculty Development, oversee- in its human capital and leadership and to have flexi- Ping the establishment of NYU international campuses bility in multiple disciplines. Over the next few years in Abu Dhabi and Shanghai. Prior to his tenure at NYU, the University has plans to recruit some 200 new faculty Prof. Robin spent 20 years teaching at the University of members. The previous administration, led by Mr. Haifa, and served as the Dean of Students for five years. Amos Shapira and Prof. David Faraggi, has made great strides in launching a multi-year program for absorb- “As academics, we What is your vision for the future ing a new generation of faculty and we intend to carry approach problems of the University of Haifa? on their good work. At the same time, we will continue R.R. - A great university should recruit aggres- to invest in cutting-edge infrastructure and concentrate by delving into the sively top academic talent while supplying our efforts into developing generous scholarship programs complexity of human favorable research conditions. This baseline for outstanding undergraduate and graduate students, sets the tone for a ‘republic of scholars’ con- and post-doctoral fellows. nature and draw from sisting of a coalition of different academic it our insights that domains, each bringing to the table their own What are some of the challenges you foresee? we could have never contributions to the organization. I believe R.R. - The steady decline of enrollment in the studies of that careful planning and investment in these humanities is a big problem today. The humanities are achieved solely from the foundations will inspire a more powerful integral to creating good science as they provide a vital tabulation of data.” sense of community– one that is strong enough source of critical views. The surge in “big science” is to transform the university into a magnet for another major challenge for institutes of higher learn- - Prof. Ron Robin, the best and brightest and a breeding ground ing, as it demands significant investment in capital President, University of Haifa of knowledge and innovation. equipment. 2 / HEIGHTS / FALL 2016 “” Our campus is a true microcosm of Israel’s unique ethnic- What sets the University of Haifa which occurs only at the University of Haifa. Nurturing religious- apart from other Israeli universities? this unique diversity will promote security and stabil- R.R. - In addition to creating scientific knowledge, our main ity within our nation, and serve as an example for co- linguistic mission is the expansion of professional opportunities for existence both in Israel and the entire region. social all members of society. We embrace the rich tapestry of mosaic. communities that make up Israeli society. What brings you back to Israel and the University of Haifa? R.R. - Part of our decision was based on family – our chil- We have launched an ambitious shift into the natural dren and grandchildren live in Israel, and we want to sciences. One of our signature programs is marine be closer to them. As for returning to the University of sciences. Learning from the sea is of critical importance Haifa, I am deeply indebted to this institution. It was not only to the University but also to Israel in general, here that my academic career really took off. The Uni- as it pertains to sustenance, transportation, wealth, versity provided me with an opportunity to explore my sustainability and innovation. And to this end we need research interests and develop my leadership skills, and to continue to cultivate this field by attracting top talent really encouraged me to spread my wings. from around the world. We are also a recognized leader in homeland security training, research and education. New Year’s wish for students and staff We are the proud academic host of the IDF National R.R. - That you will all come to regard this university as Security College where senior personnel from the mil- more than just a place of work or academic enquiry, but itary and other branches of the security forces and in- as a great community – a home away from home – one telligence community study for graduate degrees. that cultivates social cohesion and mutual tolerance and respect in our society. Our campus is a true microcosm of Israel’s unique ethnic-religious-linguistic social mosaic. We are bound by shared values and attitudes that promote upward mobility, income equality and egalitarianism in general. Our diverse student body – Jewish and Arab, religious and secular, civilian and military – is a phenomenon HEIGHTS / FALL 2016 / 3 INTERVIEW Incoming Rector : Prof. Gustavo Mesch Like our new President, Professor Gustavo Mesch started off his career at the University where the tradition of openness to cross- disciplinary exploration inspired his pioneering research. Professor Gustavo Mesch is a pioneer of openness to unconventional ideas What are the priority issues in the field of sociological studies of the and the unique cross-cultural backdrop you plan to address? Internet, examining social effects of convinced me to pursue my academic G.M. - I would like to put efforts in striking Pnew media. After completing his BA career here. a balance between undergraduate and and MA degrees at the University of graduate education while promoting Haifa, he went on to earn his PhD in What makes this university attractive research-oriented (thesis) degrees. For Sociology at Ohio State University. He to young researchers? this we must continue to invest in in- returned to the University of Haifa, and G.M. - The University of Haifa is first and frastructure as well as in building on has taught here until now. Since 2013 foremost a research university that is our human capital. We must also leverage he has served as the Dean of the Herta young in spirit – a place where tradi- our strengths in the fields we excel in, “” The and Paul Amir Faculty of Social Sciences, tional walls between departments and like marine sciences, neurobiology, ed- which has grown into one of the faculties were never fully erected. This ucation, humanities, law and political University largest faculties on campus. makes it much more conducive for science, and further explore collabo- of Haifa is interdisciplinary and cross-disciplinary rations with academic institutes in young in Why did you choose to study at studies, paving the way for the easy Israel and overseas. spirit – a the University of Haifa? flow of informal exchanges. We are G.M. - The rumor at the time was that currently in the midst of a major re- New Year’s wish for students and staff? place where the University of Haifa had a strong cruiting effort to hire excellent faculty G.M. - Halevai (Hebrew for “my greatest traditional social sciences faculty – which is still to expand and support research at the hope”) is a song composed by two walls true to this day! Once I got here, I University in traditional as well as in popular Israeli musicians. The chorus found a vibrant department with newly emerging fields. I am particular- “If only…” is a wish for peace and co- between faculty and students from diverse ly interested in implementing a system existence. I would like to wish faculty, departments backgrounds including Arab and for the identification of talented students students and staff health, happiness, and faculties Jewish Israelis, Americans and Russians in earlier years of their undergraduate peace and prosperity for the upcoming and I felt that I had a place here, that degree who would make excellent grad- year. We have important challenges to were never I can fit into all this, being an immi- uate candidates. face and together we will make the fully erected. grant myself from Argentina. The sense University of Haifa even better. 4 / HEIGHTS / FALL 2016 HEIGHTS / FALL 2016 / 5 HAIFA-SHANGHAI CONNECTION stronger than ever The ECNU-UH Joint Translational Science & Technology Research Institute – the first large-scale Israeli academic project in Shanghai – marks a massive commitment to academic collaboration in mutual areas of interest between two universities and two nations.