November 2025
Message from the Vice President for International Affairs
Dear University Community,
Despite two challenging years marked by war and academic boycotts, the Hebrew University has maintained its strong position in international rankings - and in some cases has even improved it. Equally important, we began the current academic year with a 10% increase in international student enrollment compared to the previous year.
The University maintains robust partnerships with leading institutions worldwide and is an active member of prestigious academic consortia. Through these frameworks, we collaborate on cutting-edge research with scholars from universities such as Stanford, Oxford, Cambridge, MIT, TUM, NUS-Singapore, the University of Illinois, and many others.
As I assume the role of Vice President for International Affairs, I appreciate the opportunity and the confidence placed in me. I am committed to working closely with the administration and with our academic and administrative colleagues to further advance the University’s international portfolio.
I believe that the most effective response to boycott efforts is to strengthen and expand our research collaborations with leading global institutions - and we remain determined to do so.
Sincerely,
Guy Harpaz
Updates from the International Office
With appreciation for the meaningful service that has brought us this far and with an eye toward the future, we are pleased to share updates on leadership changes within the University’s international domain.
We extend our gratitude to Prof. Oron Shagrir for eight exceptional years as Vice President for International Affairs and Head of the Rothberg International School, and we wish him much success in his new role as Rector of the University.
We warmly welcome Prof. Guy Harpaz as the incoming Vice President for International Affairs and Head of the Rothberg International School. A scholar of European Union law and international law, Prof. Harpaz brings extensive experience from his previous role as Dean of Students, as well as a strong commitment to advancing international partnerships and strengthening the University’s global community.
We wish both Oron and Guy success in their new positions.
International Student Data – Summary of the 2024–2025 Academic Year
International student data for the 2024-2025 academic year reflect a measured recovery toward pre-war enrollment levels, following the significant decline caused by the events of October 7, 2023, the outbreak of the war, and the delay in opening the academic year.
Enrollment in non-degree programs increased (47%), as well as for postdoctoral positions (17%), and master’s programs (10%). Full recovery to levels recorded two years ago has not yet been achieved.
Undergraduate programs saw a particularly notable rise of 38% - the highest ever at the University - driven by the launch of the new international BA program at the Rothberg International School, in collaboration with the Faculty of Humanities and the Business School.
The Hebrew University continues to lead Israeli universities in the number of new immigrant (olim) students. In 2024-2025, 639 olim studied at the University, most of them in undergraduate programs (63%). About one quarter enrolled at the Rothberg International School, while the Faculties of Social Sciences, Natural Sciences, and the Business School continued to attract olim at high rates.
International Student Satisfaction Survey
In July 2025, the University conducted its third consecutive satisfaction survey among international students and researchers. The survey, based on the national Israeli model and adapted for international audiences, also included postdoctoral fellows and participants in non-degree programs.
The survey received 282 responses, representing 21.4% of all recipients.
The results indicate high satisfaction and continue positive trends within the international community. Overall satisfaction is rising (on a scale of 1-5, 5 is highest), with strong scores in areas such as academic staff support (4.31), quality of studies (4.13), and the decision to study at the University (4.07).
More than 80% of respondents (average score: 4.18) reported high or very high satisfaction with their choice to study at the Hebrew University, and many indicated they would recommend the University to a close friend.
The above outcomes are especially significant given the wartime context.
New! Global Skills Certificate
Beginning in the 2025–26 academic year, the Hebrew University will offer a Global Competencies Certificate to undergraduate students who participate in international activities during their studies and develop intercultural skills and global capabilities.
Students will be able to select from a comprehensive list of academic and co-curricular international activities, both within and outside their degree program. including workshops on intercultural communication, an English résumé-writing workshop, courses taught by visiting international faculty, short academic field courses abroad, and more.
Students who complete four international activities (or three for those participating in exchange programs) will be eligible for the certificate.
The certificate will serve as a significant advantage for entering the global job market and for working in multicultural teams. Eligible students may include it on their CVs and add a dedicated skills badge to their LinkedIn profile.
Travel abroad is not required to earn the certificate, and students may complete the requirements during their studies or up to six months after graduation.
For more information, please visit our website.
Academic Partnerships – 2025 Highlights
Despite a year marked by significant challenges - including the ongoing war in Gaza, travel restrictions, and calls for academic boycotts - the Hebrew University successfully preserved and even strengthened most of its partnerships with key strategic academic institutions.
These achievements were made possible through continuous communication and knowledge-sharing, regular online meetings, the ongoing work of existing partnership frameworks, and the development of new joint initiatives.
Joint Calls for Proposals
Nine joint calls for proposals were published with leading universities in North America and Europe, including Freie Universität Berlin, University of Toronto, University of Illinois, University of Vienna, University of Bonn, University of Göttingen, and IIT Delhi.
These calls covered a wide range of activities - from academic workshops to collaborative research projects - and generated strong interest, resulting in dozens of high-quality submissions across diverse fields.
Collaboration with the University of Illinois System
Collaboration deepened significantly this year with a joint initiative in artificial intelligence and quantum science.
In September 2025, an AI workshop was held in Chicago to strengthen scientific collaboration between researchers from both institutions. Following the workshop, the annual call for proposals under the HUJI-University of Illinois Joint Research and Innovation Seed Grants Program was issued.
A similar workshop in quantum science and technology is planned for 2026.
Expanding Partnerships in Africa
Significant efforts this year focused on establishing new partnerships with academic institutions in sub-Saharan Africa.
In 2025, new agreements for academic cooperation and student exchanges were signed with universities in Zambia, Tanzania, Kenya, and Ghana.
Activities in Asia
The International Office, in cooperation with multiple faculties, continued to strengthen ties with leading institutions across Asia.
University delegations visited Singapore, Shanghai, Beijing, India, and a dedicated Humanities delegation traveled to Korea.
These efforts led to new cooperation agreements focused on student exchanges, joint research, and doctoral programs with institutions in India, China, Japan, Korea, and additional countries.
New student exchange agreements were signed with eight leading universities, including:
IIT Madras (India), SRM Institute of Science and Technology (India), Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (India), Institute of Science Tokyo (Japan), Busan University of Foreign Studies (Korea), Presbyterian University and Theological Seminary (Korea).
These initiatives reflect the Hebrew University’s ongoing commitment to international partnerships, research excellence, and building bridges of knowledge and innovation worldwide.
Summer Courses Abroad
This summer, 63 Hebrew University students participated in 13 academic field courses worldwide, led by faculty members from several departments.
In addition, many students take part in summer programs including language courses, internships, and more. This past summer, the prestigious Academic Bridge Fellowship (ABF) launched at the University of Pennsylvania. ABF is a unique summer program for outstanding Israeli undergraduates, offering full scholarships covering travel and living expenses.
Nine Hebrew University students participated in the five-week program, which included research internships, lectures with leading scholars, enrichment activities, and social events.
The program received highly positive feedback, highlighting the importance of international experiences in fostering academic excellence, strengthening US-Israel academic collaboration, and supporting students’ personal and professional growth.
Yonatan Levin, BA student in Philosophy and Business Administration:
"The ABF Summer Program was one of the most formative experiences of my life. It allowed me to experience academia as a space of curiosity, collaboration, and discovery - not merely a race to endure. I learned that my passion for entrepreneurship and my love of learning are deeply connected. And above all, it was great fun - a truly unforgettable summer."
International Day 2025
On Monday, May 19, 2025, the University celebrated it’s first International Day on the Mount Scopus campus. The event included academic and cultural activities, workshops, and experiences showcasing the richness of global cultures and research collaborations.
Five main hubs were organized:
- Study Abroad Fair with embassy representatives and academic partners.
- International Lounge hosting open discussions with researchers, diplomats, and lecturers on global issues.
- The Human Library® offering participants interactive dialogue with “human books” from diverse communities.
- International Food and Culture Fair with global cuisines and cultural displays.
- Global Toolbox – professional workshops for staff on intercultural communication and global opportunities.
The event reflected the University’s commitment to multiculturalism, academic and community-based international connections, and concluded the academic year on a note of engagement and global awareness.
The International Excellence Award 2024/25
The International Excellence Award, led by the International Office, recognizes outstanding initiatives and achievements advancing the University’s internationalization.
Celebrated for the fifth year, the award honors innovative programs, projects, and services across teaching, research, and campus life. Prizes have been presented at the Rector’s Award Ceremony.
- First Place: SHARE Research Center, Singapore - The University’s first research center outside Israel, part of the prestigious CREATE campus, was recognized for its scientific collaboration, publications, and securing over USD 77 million in research funding.
- Second Place: Center for Digital Humanities, Faculty of Humanities - Honored for hosting the Digital Humanities Winter School, a joint initiative with Freie Universität Berlin, promoting international research networks and academic dialogue.
- Third Place: Institute of Archaeology, Faculty of Humanities - Recognized for its ongoing collaboration with the French Research Center in Jerusalem, including international workshops in ancient technology involving scholars and students from Israel, France, and Germany.
- Honorable Mention: Prof. Noam Shoval, Department of Geography, Faculty of Social Sciences - For leading international field courses, integrating practical student training, collaborations with local universities, professional meetings, and diplomatic events.
International Office Staff Updates
We thank Ms. Alma Lessing, former Director of International Partnerships, Liaisons, and Development, who now continues as Coordinator of the Academic Freedom Taskforce.
We welcome Ms. Ariella Pelleg as the new Director of International Partnerships.
Ms. Liat Gabay concluded her role as Outgoing Student Exchange Coordinator and moved to the Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment. Her role is now filled by Ms. Efrat Luria.
Ms. Fatima Sbitan joined us recently, as Coordinator for Erasmus+ Programs and Agreements, replacing Ms. Naama Carmel.
We wish everyone success in their new roles!
Contact details are available on the International Office website.