University of Haifa welcomed back students and faculty to campus this week after nearly a year and a half of hybrid studies. As part of the opening week festivities, the University hosted the Minister of Education, Dr. Yifat Shasha-Biton. Shasha-Biton, a UofH alumna, praised the University's contributions to social mobility through expanded access to higher education in Israel's periphery. "I am a partner on your path to success and will do everything in my power to strengthen the University of Haifa's presence in the city." In her meeting with President Ron Robin, Rector Gur Alroey, and President of the WIZO Haifa Academy of Design and Education, Prof. Shimon Amar, she reiterated the government's commitment to the planned merger of the two institutes. During her visit she met with researchers from the Faculty of Education and scientists from Prof. Mouna Maroun's Neurobiology Lab at the Sagol Department of Neurobiology, as well as members of UofH's Student Union.

UofH has set ambitious academic goals to support research and educational initiatives that align with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), aimed at reducing poverty, hunger, and discrimination. Our research agenda will focus on these areas supported by our fundamental values of inclusion, equality, and justice through shared society. This is accomplished by investigating challenges locally, in our labs and community, and identifying and implementing solutions that will have a global impact. - President Ron Robin

As part of our commitment to environmental and social sustainability issues, we have appointed Prof. Ofer Arazy (Head of the Haifa Innovation Labs) to coordinate and oversee the University's educational and outreach activities targeting sustainability on campus and with industry and community partners. -Rector Gur Alroey

With 5,000 new cases diagnosed in Israel every year, breast cancer is the most common malignant disease among women in all population groups. Early detection and treatment can significantly improve patient survival rates and quality of life. UofH has redesigned our logo using the colors of the campaign as a sign of solidarity during the month of October.

Research at The Laboratory of Tumor Dormancy and Metastasis directed by Dr. Dalit Barkan, is aimed at preventing and treating breast cancer recurrence and metastasis. LEARN MORE

The Faculty of Humanities and the Technion's joint proposal entitled 'Artificial Intelligence and Neuroscience: Ethics-Society-Environment' was awarded a national tender by The Israel Council for Higher Education (MALAG) to establish an Inter University Center exploring the intersections between the humanities and artificial intelligence. The new Center will host research activities and collaborations between UofH researchers and scientists from the Technion, as well as a number of graduate degree programs. Vice Rector, Prof. Meir Hemmo, led the writing team that drafted the proposal.

Photo Credits: (right) University of Haifa, (left) Amir Yurman

The new School of Archaeology will be the first of its kind in Israel, uniting the University's traditional archaeological departments with the Department of Maritime Civilizations focused on underwater excavations. In addition, two new departments will be established: the Department of Archaeological Sciences which focuses on the interface between traditional archaeology and natural and life sciences; and the Department of Conservation, Curation, and Museology. Israeli archaeologist Prof. Israel Finkelstein, a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and one of the world's leading experts on the Levant, will head the new school.

(l-r) Baruch Marzan and Michael Wainer

Baruch Marzan has been appointed to a new executive position, Vice President for Internationalization and Sustainability. He has served in a number of capacities at the University, including Academic Secretary (2000-2004) and most recently as Vice President and Director General, a post he held since 2004.

Michael Wainer is the University's new Vice President and Director General. He joined the University's finance department nearly a decade ago and in 2017 was appointed CFO, a position he held since then. Ayelet Heldenberg-Levy, University's Financial Controller, will serve as interim CFO.

Credit: Getty Images

An international study investigating the relationship between trust and loneliness led by Prof. Simone Shamay-Tsoory (Department of Psychology), with researchers from the Universities of Bonn and Oldenburg, has found that persistent loneliness is associated with reduced trust in fellow human beings. While investigating to what extent loneliness relates to interpersonal trust, the researchers discovered changes in the activity and interaction of various brain structures, especially the insular cortex. These findings also suggest therapeutic options to reduce negative mental biases. The research was recently published in Advanced Science.

In a moving ceremony, the University of Haifa dedicated a memorial wall to Eliezer Rafaeli, the University of Haifa's first president. The University awarded him with an honorary doctorate in 2003 for his tireless efforts in recruiting faculty members, founding the first academic departments and planning and inaugurating the library. Rafaeli also made notable contributions to the promotion of co-existence at the University with the founding of the Jewish-Arab Center and the Unit for Bridging Social Gaps. On the occasion of his 90th birthday in 2017, he was honored with an Honorary Life membership to the Board of Governors. His children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren attended the event.

Dr. Beverly Goodman-Tchernov (Head, Dr. Moses Strauss Department of Marine Geosciences) is a National Geographic Explorer, who studies ancient marine and coastal mysteries around the world. The fascinating webinar offers an intriguing overview of her research that traces coastal sea levels and climate change over many centuries, roles and impacts of humans and nature on coastlines in the past and present, and what that relationship can mean for the future. She notes growing literacy rates, an increase in life expectancy, and a move toward alternative energy as strong reasons for optimism.

Credit: ORT France

The University of Haifa community mourns the loss of Mr. Jules Bloch who recently passed away at age 96. As a devoted friend to the State of Israel, Mr. Jules served as President of the French Friends Association and UofH Board member for many years. Mr. Bloch was an enthusiastic supporter of education and vocational training and was the Director General of ORT France (1976-1993). For his work and lifetime contributions, he received many military and civil distinctions including the Medal of the Resistance, the Silver Star War Cross and the Vermeil Medal for Technical Education. May his memory be a blessing.

Watch a trailer of "Secrets of Whales" – a four part documentary series by National Geographic and Red Rock Films.

Award-winning series "Secrets of Whales" was produced with expert insights and research from Project CETI, an international collaboration between the Leon H. Charney School of Marine Sciences, Harvard, MIT, Imperial College London, UC, Berkeley, and City University of New York. Project CETI brings together scientists and technologists from different fields of study, including marine biology, marine acoustics, artificial intelligence, and linguistics, to pursue the audacious goal of understanding, and maybe one day talking back to whales. READ MORE on UofH's role in the CETI Project in the 2021 President's Report.

University of Haifa wishes its new and continuing students and faculty a happy and productive new academic year.