The University of Haifa's Executive Committee announced that Prof. Gur Alroey has been unanimously elected the next President of the University. Prof. Alroey, who currently serves as Rector, will assume his position in October 2024, replacing Prof. Ron Robin who will conclude his eight-year term. Prof. Alroey joined the University twenty years ago and has served in many leadership positions. Prior to becoming Rector, Prof. Alroey was Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Department Head. He also established the prestigious Ruderman Program for American Jewish Studies with the support of the Ruderman Family Foundation. 

(l-r): Anita Friedman (Chairperson of World WIZO), Zvika Rak (Chairman of the Board of Directors of the NB Haifa School of Design), Architect Ori Ronen (Interim President of the WIZO Academic Center), Rector Gur Alroey,  Sharon Zaid (University VP and CEO), and Prof. Leah Peretz (Head of the School of Design). | Credit: Yossi Carasso

The merger between University of Haifa and the Neri Bloomfield Haifa School of Design marks an important milestone as the first university in Israel to house a dedicated design school. The new School of Design, headed by Prof. Leah Peretz, a globally recognized leader in fashion design, promises to inaugurate a new era of education and innovation across diverse design disciplines in Israel. This merger will provide students with unparalleled opportunities for growth, elevate design education within the University of Haifa and set a precedent for academic institutions in the region. As part of the new merger, the School of Design will continue its operations at its existing location in the German Colony in downtown Haifa. READ MORE

(l-r) Rector Gur Alroey, Prof. Irit Akirav, Head of the Bloom School for Graduate Studies, and President Ron Robin.

University administration, deans and dozens of faculty members, and graduate fellows attended the ceremony inaugurating the new home of the Bloom School for Graduate Studies. Prof. Irit Akirav, Dean of Graduate Studies Authority, leads the Bloom School. President Ron Robin and Rector Gur Alroey delivered opening remarks. This was followed by a performance by University of Haifa violinist Alexandra to the song "A Warrior's Pain" by singer-songwriter and actor Idan Amedi. Amedi was recently injured in the northern Gaza Strip. The inaugural cohort began their studies in the 2022-23 academic year, a milestone made possible through the generous support and vision of the Bloom family. READ MORE

Photo Credit: Amit Elkayam for The New York Times

The New York Times published an insightful article that shines a light on our diverse and resilient student body, and the unique atmosphere of our campus amidst the backdrop of the ongoing regional conflict. READ MORE

“We’re doing everything possible to connect to our students and allay fears that people have.” 
– President Ron Robin, President

Dean of Students Prof. Batya Engel-Yeger (Department of Occupational Therapy), is set to receive the A. Jean Ayres research award for her groundbreaking research in sensory processing disorders. Her research sheds light on their connections to psychiatric, immunological, and neurological conditions. As the first non-U.S. scholar to receive this accolade, Prof. Engel-Yeger's global impact emphasizes the significance of sensory processing in health professions. Her advocacy for practical tools that mirror real-life function enhances health and quality of life. The A. Jean Ayres Award annually recognizes individuals for advancing occupational therapy theory.

We recently celebrated the inaugural launch of the "Eastern Mediterranean Sea Centre – An Early-Warning Model-System for our Future Ocean" project, a collaborative effort with the Germany-based GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel. This initiative focuses on investigating climate change and pollution in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea, utilizing it as a "living lab" to develop prediction models and enhance our understanding of climate change impacts on oceans. Led by Prof. Ilana Berman-Frank (Department of Marine Biology) and Prof. Yizhaq Makovsky (Head, Dr. Moses Strauss Department of Marine Geosciences), the Israeli research team, consisting of scientists from the Charney School of Marine Sciences and experts from additional institutes, continues to drive the project forward.

Amitai Wagner (Faculty of Law) and Ramy Masalha (doctoral student in the Department of Computer Science).

The University of Haifa proudly acknowledges its highly accomplished international debate team, which clinched a second-place victory at the World Universities Debating Championships in the English as a Second Language category. Law student Amitai Wagner and Computer Science doctoral student Ramy Masalha led the UofH team, demonstrating excellence for the second time in three years. Under the guidance of coach Uri Zakai, the debate club, overseen by the Dean of Students, consistently produces top debaters, bringing both honor and pride to the University.

Eshkol Tower on the Mt. Carmel campus lights up in solidarity with the families of the hostages held in Gaza since October 7^th.

The entire University of Haifa community – faculty, students and staff – gathered in the hundreds to mark 100 days of Hamas captivity. Joining hundreds of Israeli entities in a 100-minute standstill, they expressed solidarity with the families of the hostages held in Gaza since October 7^th. Prof. Israel Waismel-Manor (School of Political Science), who volunteers at the Hostage Square in Tel Aviv, served as the ceremony's host. He recently returned from a mission to South America, advocating for the release of all hostages.

Explore Diverse Perspectives on the
Israel-Hamas War through the University's Multi-Language Informational Video Series 

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