Dear Members of the University Community,
At the end of October, we marked the opening of the 2024/25 academic year throughout the University, including in our international programs. The 2023/24 academic year was marked by profound challenges, including the horrific events of October 7th, ongoing fighting, many casualties, and individuals still in Hamas captivity—among them members of our Hebrew University community. It was also a challenging year due to boycotts and anti-Israel events that have taken place, and continue to take place, at many universities around the world.
Despite these many challenges, we have maintained our international activities to the greatest extent possible, and our efforts have borne fruit: our students participated in exchange programs, faculty members and students from abroad were successfully integrated, we promoted and opened new programs, and we strengthened collaborations with overseas institutions. Additionally, we worked diligently to support members of the University community in addressing academic boycotts and responding comprehensively to anti-Israel boycott initiatives in general.
We invite you to get a glimpse of the international activity led by the International Office in recent months. As always, we encourage you, members of the University community, to stay in touch with the International Office staff and promote new initiatives and ideas in your units.
On behalf of the International Office staff, we wish all of us a successful academic year, full of hope and activity, and especially a quieter year and the immediate return of the hostages who have been held captive in Gaza for over 400 days.
Yours,
Oron Shagrir, Vice President of International Affairs,
Jane Turner, Head, International Office
International Students' Day
Every year, November 17 is observed as International Students’ Day to celebrate the diversity, unity and pursuit of knowledge across the globe. The day honours and acknowledges the brave students who in 1939 stood against Nazi oppression and fought for human rights. Over the decades, the Hebrew University has opened its doors widely to international students from over 90 countries and welcomes students and researchers into our community, even in challenging times as these. International students contribute to creating a global, rich and diverse campus life. We wish all our new and continuing students a fruitful, successful and enjoyable time at HUJI.
Supporting the International Community During Emergencies
The International Welcome Center, established at the Rothberg International School in January 2023, provides comprehensive support to international students, lecturers, researchers, and faculty members at the University (excluding those at the Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment in Rehovot). From the admission process through integration and throughout their time at the University, the Center offers assistance every step of the way.
In emergencies, the Center provides 24/7 immediate assistance, offering personalized support to members of the international community. It collaborates closely with various departments, including the International Office, the Authority for Research Students, the Dean of Students, the Security and Emergency Department, and more.
One of the Welcome Center's key goals is to create a support system for international faculty members and their families, helping them with their arrival in Israel and integration into the university. The Center's staff works with academic and administrative authorities and has developed a CRM-based online system that simplifies pre-arrival support, including visas, insurance, and work permits.
Cultural, social, and leisure events are an essential part of the Center's activities, providing international students with meaningful opportunities to experience and connect with Israel. Since October 7th, and throughout the ongoing war, the unit has initiated various activities to keep the international community informed about events in Israel. As part of these efforts, students have participated in agricultural volunteer days, tours, meetings with survivors of the Nova party in Re'im, and more.
We invite you to visit the exhibition showcasing these activities, located in front of the main entrance to the Rothberg International School.
To contact the Welcome Center and to register for the monthly mailing, please reach out to the unit's director, Raz Rabinovich, at razra@savion.huji.ac.il.
International students from Rothberg International School at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem prepare meals for those in need.
University Team Established to Address the Academic Boycott
Since the onset of the Iron Swords war, organizations and institutions worldwide intensified their calls for an academic boycott of Israeli institutions. In response, a university team was formed last July, led by Prof. Netta Barak-Corren from the Faculty of Law. The team includes Rector Prof. Tamir Sheafer, former Rector Prof. Barak Medina, Vice President for Advancement and External Relations Yossi Gal, Vice President for International Affairs Prof. Oron Shagrir, Director of International Partnerships Alma Lessing, and student Mia Weinroab.
The team is dedicated to developing academic, relational, and legal strategies to counter academic boycott attempts. It documents incidents, offers guidance, and coordinates institutional responses on issues affecting the University, and engages with international partners to provide information and discourage boycott initiatives. Additionally, the team fosters strong relationships with university leaders and partners worldwide to enable them to assist and prevent any proposals or calls for a boycott. The team spearheaded the establishment of a national task force against the boycotts, as well as a national database of boycott attempts, and collaborates with all Israeli universities on strategic and cross-university matters.
Monitoring and Documenting Academic Boycott Actions
The team continuously monitors academic boycotts at both institutional and individual levels, covering universities, academic organizations, and associations, as well as specific boycotts against researchers, rescinded invitations, cancelled joint research projects, and exclusion of Israeli exchange students from activities. The most intensive boycott front is western Europe (particularly Spain, Belgium, the Netherlands, Ireland, Finland, and Norway) and Canada, with some developments also occurring in the US, Australia, and in other parts of the world. The team established the first database in Israeli academia to track boycott cases and helped establish the national database, which counts more than 300 cases of boycott by now (including close to 100 incurred by the Hebrew University’s researchers).
Advice, Guidance and Outreach
The team offers guidance to faculty and students through information sessions, background materials, and personalized assistance. This assistance has helped faculty and students navigate complex challenges to research, study-abroad programs and preserved numerous research grants and projects. A dedicated webpage offers relevant information and resources.
In addition, the team conducts in-person and online outreach and risk management meetings with university leaders, actively maintains relationships with international partners, addresses inquiries raised by universities abroad, and develops strategies for legal intervention. Prof. Barak-Corren leads the legal nation-wide strategic efforts in collaboration with the national task force.
In Canada, for example, the team helped counter senate votes on boycott motions at two universities with the support of Canadian colleagues. Similarly, in cases where EU-funded projects faced boycott threats, direct appeals to the boycotting universities or the European Union helped preserve HUJI participation. Our efforts do not succeed in all cases. Some universities ultimately decided to cut ties, even after initially sustaining the pressure, and some faculty associations voted to suspend ties with Israeli universities. This is a shifting landscape that requires constant maintenance, agility, and adaptive intercultural communication.
For more information and guidance, please contact Ms. Alma Lessing, International Office (email: almal@savion.huji.ac.il), who coordinates this effort.
Hebrew University’s Cooperation with Baku State University
In May 2023, a new and unique cooperation agreement was signed between Hebrew University and Baku State University, with sponsorship from the government of Azerbaijan. The partnership encompasses a joint master's degree program in plant sciences, specializing in biotechnology, along with funding for ten collaborative research projects over the next five years.
The collaboration is based in the Faculty of Agriculture and is led by Prof. Shaul Bordman, Dean of the Faculty; Prof. Yael Helman, Vice Dean for International Affairs and Head of the International School of Agriculture; and Prof. Oren Ostersetzer-Biran, Head of the Department of Biotechnology.
As part of the agreement, two joint research projects were launched in 2023-2024 between the Faculty of Agriculture at the Hebrew University and the Faculty of Agriculture at Baku University. Additionally, ten students from Azerbaijan enrolled in the second semester of the 2023-2024 academic year at the Faculty of Agriculture in Rehovot to participate in the joint master's degree program.
In the photo: Prof. Saul Burdman, Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture; Prof. Yael Helman, Head of the International School of Agriculture; H.E. Ambassador Mukhtar Mammadov of Azerbaijan to Israel; Arthur Lenk, former Ambassador of Israel to Azerbaijan; students from the program; and Keren Sagi, Head of International Programs at the University’s International Office.
Research Positions Portal
The research jobs portal project at the Hebrew University, launched by the International Office about a year ago, provides an accessible and up-to-date platform for publishing research positions. This initiative aims to enhance the recruitment of post-doctoral researchers and research students.
The portal operates in English and is accessible through the International Office's website, continuously showcasing job listings submitted by the research community. We promote the portal through collaborations with external platforms, such as Science Abroad and Academic Positions.
In the coming year, we plan to expand our marketing efforts to include additional promotional avenues.
To view the job listings and publish open positions for recruitment, please visit the International Office website here. Applications can be submitted through the online system, which is open to both international and Israeli applicants.
Launch of First International Double-Major BA Degree
The Hebrew University recently launched its first international bachelor's degree program. This program has been developed in collaboration with the Rothberg International School, the Faculty of Humanities, and the School of Business Administration.
Despite the challenging circumstances, the program has generated significant interest among applicants. The inaugural year welcomes 22 students from the USA, Canada, Great Britain, China, and other countries, along with new immigrants.
The program offers three dual degree tracks:
- Business Administration and English Literature
- Business Administration and Liberal Arts
- Liberal Arts and English Literature
The studies will be conducted in English and will include a combination of mirror courses offered in Hebrew, along with courses provided by the faculties in English.
The courses will be delivered within the faculties, while all administrative aspects—such as recruitment, registration, finances, and student support—will be managed by the Rothberg International School. The School will assist each student from the initial stages of interest through to the completion of their degree.
Wishing the best of luck to the first cohort!
In the photo: The first cohort of the international bachelor's degree program, joined by staff members of the Rothberg International School, program heads, and Prof. Oron Shagrir, Vice President for International Affairs and Rothberg International School Provost.
Schulich Scholarship for Students Going to Canada
The student exchange program at the Hebrew University offers students a chance for academic enrichment and international experiences during their bachelor’s degree studies. Participants can spend a semester or a year at one of 200 leading institutions worldwide, with which the University has established student exchange agreements.
Starting this year, the Canadian Shulich Foundation will annually award generous scholarships to 15 outstanding students selected to participate in an exchange program at academic institutions in Canada.
In preparation for their departure to Canada and receiving their Schulich scholarship, the International Office organized an orientation day and intercultural training for the students participating in the program. During the workshop, it was clear that the students were excited about the opportunity to experience unique cultures, diverse teaching methods, and a variety of courses. They looked forward to connecting with different communities in Canada and building a network to support their academic journeys. The students expressed deep gratitude to the Schulich Foundation for their assistance, which has made their participation in the program possible.
In early September, the students departed for various institutions across Canada to begin their first semester. They remain in close contact with the international exchange team at the International Office for updates and any needed assistance.
The International Office wishes you all a successful and enriching academic year, and invites you to stay in touch with any suggestions or inquiries you may have.
Visit the International Office website
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