The Hebrew University of Jerusalem is consistently ranked as the top university in Israel and among the top 100, worldwide. In addition, The University was ranked the top Israeli university and 201-205 best out of the top 800 institutions in the 2016-17 Times Higher Education World University Rankings, published by the British magazine Times Higher Education. HUJI was the only Israeli university to place in the world’s top 200 universities in the rankings.

Also, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem has been ranked first in Israel and 145th globally in the 2017 QS World University Rankings which ranks the top 800 institutions worldwide.

Producing unparalleled excellence in research, teaching and study, the Hebrew University’s world-renowned scholars have achieved extraordinary breakthroughs in disciplines ranging from agriculture to brain research, from economics to education, and so many more. These accomplishments are reflected in the impressive number of competitive research grants obtained by its faculty, as well as by the registration of a disproportionately high number of international patents. 

Articles and studies by University scholars appear frequently in prestigious scientific and academic journals, and their research has garnered them outstanding awards in Israel and abroad.  Thus far, faculty and alumni have won seven Nobel Prizes, one Fields Medal (the Nobel Prize’s equivalent in mathematics), one Canada Gairdner International Award in biomedical science, and 14 Wolf Prizes. 

The Hebrew University is particularly proud of its “Startup Nation” technology transfer company, Yissum, which ranks among the most productive and successful incubator frameworks in the world:

• Since its founding in 1964, Yissum has licensed over 530 technologies
• It registers more than 50 new patents each year
• Yissum generates $2 billion revenues annually

Global Activity: The Numbers

The figures speak for themselves:

• 265 academic agreements with institutions in 45 countries
• Student exchange agreements with over 90 institutions in over 30 countries
• 90 courses for the study of some 30 languages
• 308 post-doctoral researchers from 34 countries
• An annual enrolment of almost 2000 students from 80 countries at the Rothberg International School.
• In September 2012, the Hebrew University became one of the first institutions to join Coursera, which partners with leading universities to offer free online courses to people everywhere.

Impact Felt Around the World

The Hebrew University has been a leader in actively driving advances that both improve lives — and save lives — around the globe, in sectors like agriculture, environmental quality and public health. Students from developing countries have carried out advanced studies at the Hebrew University, and then returned to their countries, equipped with the know-how to apply the knowledge and skills they need to change reality for the better.

The University’s Rothberg International School for overseas students is proud to list among its alumni: Actress Natalie Portman, journalist Thomas Friedman

NEW LONG TERM INTERNATIONAL STRATEGY AT HUJI

In line with the mission of the university institutional mission to be the leading research university in Israel and within the top leading universities worldwide, the Hebrew University's goals have been defined as:

• Creation of innovative research knowledge that breaks the boundaries of science and in the advancement of society;
• Quality teaching for training of future leadership in research and society;
• Teaching and research across disciplines;
• To maintain ties with leading research institutions worldwide;
• To maintain a mutual, financial viable relationship with Jerusalem and the State of Israel.

 The definition of the above goals, together with additional internal and external factors, have led the Hebrew University to set internationalization as a strategic institutional priority.

Internationalization Strategy…

A dedicated committee was established in November 2015 to examine the current situation of the university, vis-a-vis the university mission and goals to be a leading world-class international university.

Our belief is that an internationalization strategy will only have impact if we align our efforts and resources with a limited set of priority actions, while leaving innovative space for individual initiatives.

The Committee for the Development of an International Strategy has just released its 5 key recommendations:

1. Increase the number of outgoing HUJI students for international study experiences during their studies.

2. Increase and expand international degree programs at HUJI for international students, especially at graduate level.

3. Increase the number of international doctoral and post-doctoral students

5. Expand short term summer and winter programs for international students

6. Build strategic partnerships with leading universities worldwide, in North America, Europe and the Far East

A Concrete Action Plan in the Making…

Each of these points requires strategic planning to overcome hurdles and ensure success.

HUJI Students Abroad

HUJI places increasing importance on international experiences for its students. Ideally, each student who wants to have an international experience – whether in the classroom, a term abroad, summer course or a research internship – should be able to benefit from such an opportunity. 

The committee's recommendation is that every HUJI student should have the opportunity to study abroad in short study programs, summer courses, full semester courses and take part in research. The goal is to have approximately 800 students per year (10% of the student body) study abroad by the end of the decade, and 2000 students by 2025.

Masters', Doctoral and Post-Doctoral programs for international Students at HUJI

This priority is to recruit excellent graduate students from around the world. HUJI, as the leading university in Israel and recognized as a leader in research, teaching and service, offers high level academic education, preparing graduates to compete and contribute in an ever more globalized world.

The major thrust for the future will be the development and launching of new cutting edge international graduate programs taught in English, a policy aligned with the goals of the Council of Higher Education.

International Partnerships

HUJI has and will continue to establish meaningful partnerships with other leading academic institutions with the aim to generate joint programs, student mobility, research and collaboration as well as faculty and staff exchange.

HUJI has a number of successful partnerships – for example, HUJI and Freie Universitaet Berlin strategic partnership, signed in 2011. More than 60 scholars from all university departments are actively collaborating in research and teaching with colleagues in Jerusalem. A special emphasis is put on the collaboration on the promotion of junior scholars, including a joint PhD-degree program and Berlin-Jerusalem Joint Post Doctoral Fellowship.

Increased numbers of short term study programs

Short term programs for students globally are becoming increasingly popular and enable students an international experience during their studies, when longer periods of mobility are not always feasible. HUJI will strive to provide new and exciting opportunities for international students, include language courses, laboratory training, field trips, clinical work, combined with a unique Jerusalem experience.

Top 10 Reasons to Study in Jerusalem!

1. The feel the vibe you can only get surrounded by the creativity, innovation and “chutzpa” of the StartUp Nation.
2. A single giant hill in Jerusalem where you’ll find the Knesset, the Supreme Court, Hebrew University, The Israel Museum and… Cinema City!
3. Just moments from the Givat Ram campus is the Mahane Yehuda shuk… hundreds of stalls selling every staple and delicacy, from halva to halibut, truffles to tarragon, feta cheese to falafel. And if that’s not enough, dozens of restaurants and bars make it a new night spot.
4. The views from any porch, virtually anywhere!
5. English, English, everywhere! And French. And Russian. And Spanish. And Italian…
6. Perfect Mediterranean weather – yes, a month where it’s chilly (and often snows for a day or two) and another couple when it’s just hot. Aside from that, almost year-round it’s stunning, breezy and all about being outside!
7. Easy access to points citywide by bus, bike, cab, light rail, and by foot!
8. The First Station — the rejuvenated train station with restaurants, music, exhibitions, vendors, and 7-D movies, all operating 7 days a week!
9. The Jerusalem Marathon and the “Around Jerusalem” bike ride, both offering routes of all lengths and levels of difficulty – something for everyone!
10. Meet up with Jews, Muslims, Christians, secular, religious, locals, expats from around the world…

The team at the International Office (located at the Mount Scopus Campus) is solely dedicated to coordinating and promoting all international activities across the institution:

Prof. Oron Shagrir

Head, International Office

Coordinator, Outgoing Students

Coordinator for International Liaisons

Coordinator for Incoming Students

Coordinator of outgoing student exchange

Hebrew University Representative in China

In the world of increasing globalization of universities, Hebrew University has numerous partnerships with universities worldwide.

It is an active partner in several strategic, global partnerships, with a few selected leading international universities in a variety of geographical locations, which co-create mutually beneficial solutions in support of internationally collaborative creativity and initiatives of our individual academics and faculties. Such partnerships include a wide portfolio of joint academic activity, ranging from joint teaching and research programs, joint research projects, joint workshops and more. Such programs are established with the support of joint funding mechanisms. While these different components are distinct, they feed on each other and in fact depend on each other.  Like communicating vessels, they strongly interact and affect each other.

Strategic Partnership with Freie Universitaet Berlin  

A well-established strategic partnership exists with Freie Universitaet Berlin, initiated in 2011, and based on a series of agreements. These agreements include a Strategic Collaboration agreement signed in 2011, university level Student Exchange agreement and faculty level exchange agreements in various fields, including International Relations, Law, Communications, a Joint PhD agreement, Erasmus+ bilateral agreements for student and staff exchange, Administrative Staff Exchange Agreement and various joint academic programs.

The partnership includes a wide range of joint teaching and research activities:

1. The Hebrew University of Jerusalem-Freie Universitaet Berlin Joint PhD Program

2. The Hebrew University of Jerusalem-Freie Universitaet Berlin Joint Post Doctoral Program.

3. Partner in "University Alliance for Sustainability“, funded by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)’s funding scheme for strategic networks, under the coordination of Freie Universitaet Berlin, including its strategic partners (PKU, UBC, St. Petersburg) Funding for meetings, staff and student exchanges. HUJI Coordinator: Prof. Eran Feitelson, Head of School for Environmental Studies.

4. The Hebrew University of Jerusalem-Freie Universitaet Berlin Joint interdisciplinary doctoral program, "Human Rights Under Pressure"

5. One‐year MA program “Intellectual Encounters of the Islamicate World”

6. "Principles of Cultural Dynamics" with Freie Universitaet Berlin

Annual Call for applications for research fellowships for FUB graduate students/staff and a summer school in Berlin at Freie Universitaet in the framework of the network "Principles of Cultural Dynamics at one of the partners.

7. Freie Universitaet Berlin–Hebrew University Joint Seed Money Funding Scheme
Annual Call for applications for joint research initiatives. Nextx call will be published in spring 2019.

The joint funding scheme with an annual budget of € 50.000 aims at supporting the first steps of research collaboration.

The following formats are possible:

• Intensive research workshops
• Short term research stays (for young as well as established researchers)
• Research‐oriented teaching / short intensive graduate seminars
• Mobility for the preparation of joint research proposals

8. Joint Research Projects: About a dozen joint active research projects, funded by third-party funds.

9. Alliance for Sustainability