Bradley Bloom, Chairman of the Board of Governors, and President Ron Robin welcomed two-hundred participants from around the world to the University of Haifa's 49th Board of Governors Meeting. A livestream of the event was broadcasted from the Hecht Museum Auditorium. Faculty, board members, students and supporters of the University of Haifa participated in person.

President Robin presented his Annual Report at the Opening Plenary Session, which included an overview of the University's academic milestones over the past year, as well as the launch of the University's 50th Anniversary capital fundraising campaign "Be 50" to raise $150 M over the next three years.

<<WATCH UofH 2020/21 Academic Year Video>>
Rector Gur Alroey spoke about the University's new academic vision and its  goal to align with the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals.
<<WATCH Video on How Our Students Fit Into this Vision>>
A Q&A session followed their presentations.

<<WATCH A RECORDING OF THE Q&A SESSION>>

Among the highlights of the event was the awarding of an Honorary Doctorate to Prof. Richard C. Horton, editor-in-chief of The Lancet, one of the world's most prestigious medical journals. Prof. Horton was recognized for his exceptional contribution to the promotion of public health and wellbeing on a global level, and for his actions in raising the profile and status of the Israeli health system.

(l-r, top row) Ms. Batia Ofer, Honorary President of Make-a-Wish Israel
and Jeremy M. Isaacs, CBE, Founding Partner of JRJ Group
(l-r, bottom row)  Dr. Michael Halberthal, General Director of Rambam Health Care Campus, and Chairman Bloom

Prof. Horton devoted decades to advancing truth and science in pursuit of solutions to complex global issues in public health and climate change, noted Chairman Bloom. Dr. Michael Halberthal, General Director of Rambam Health Care Campus, credited Prof. Horton with being an inspirational figure and a leading scientific and human rights voice throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Ms. Batia Ofer and Mr. Jeremy Isaacs, CBE (2019 recipient of a UofH Honorary Degree), longtime friends and supporters of the University from the UK, participated in the ceremony. <<WATCH A RECORDING OF THE CONFERMENT CEREMONY>>

The academic ceremony was followed by a fascinating discussion between Prof. Horton and Dr. Talya Greene (Head of the Department of Community Mental Health) on lessons learned from the COVID-19 global health crisis. In response to a question regarding the challenges we still face with COVID-19, Prof. Horton stated, "While many countries around the world are doing well with advanced vaccination programs in place, we are still in the midst of a pandemic, especially in parts of Southeast Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. We should celebrate our successes, but remain cautious about the dangers ahead." <<WATCH A RECORDING OF THIS SESSION>>

The Main Plenary Session was devoted to exploring the work of the Strategic Advisory Committee, which was chaired by Prof. Joseph Klafter.  Prof. Klafter presented an overview of the committee's process and key recommendations that will help the University build on our strengths and expand into new exciting fields of research. Shira Navon, VP for Strategic Affairs, discussed the implementation process, including the establishment of six sub-committees that will develop action plans for the key issues raised in the report. President Robin and Rector Alroey joined Prof. Klafter on stage for an informative Q&A discussion. <<WATCH A RECORDING OF THE Q&A SESSION>>

In keeping with tradition, the Board of Governors website hosted a virtual exhibition where 17 leading UofH faculty members presented their cutting-edge research and academic projects.

Hear from Prof. Jenny Kurman, Dean of Students, about our Jewish-Arab Community Leadership Program, which facilitates dialogue and social interaction between Jewish and Arab students.

where you can find the Virtual Research Exhibition,
the digital 2021 President's Report,
and recordings of online events (click on VOD)

Students, faculty and esteemed friends of the University of Haifa community attended the German Friends Association's Annual Event honoring students enrolled in the Jewish-Arab Community Leadership Program and the Werner Otto Graduate Scholarships. Over the past two decades, the German Friends of the University of Haifa, led by Chairwoman Sonja Lahnstein-Kandel, has been generously supporting programs promoting Jewish-Arab relations and the advancement of women at the University.

In his opening remarks, President Robin noted, "We are grateful to the German Friends for their dedication and continual support of these programs, which carry a message of hope. This message is now more important than ever in light of the unrest in Israel over the past months. With these programs young people can form meaningful relationships based on communication and respect, create a shared vision, and look forward to a brighter future."   

During the online event, students talked about their volunteer work as part of these programs, their experiences with COVID-19, as well as recent unrest in Israel. A special musical rendition of "Shalom Aleichem" (We Brought Peace) in Hebrew and Arabic by the University of Haifa's Arab-Jewish Orchestra and a Q&A session led by Chairwoman Lahnstein and moderated by Prof. Stefan Ihrig (Director of the Haifa Center for German and European Studies) concluded the event.