Tag: Tel Aviv University

Travelling exhibition displayed for the first time in Israel

Written by AUFTAU on 24 February 2023. Posted in Newsroom.

The Rosenberg – The German Federal Ministry of Justice in the Shadow of the Nazi Past.

In 2012, the German Federal Ministry of Justice tasked an independent academic commission with investigating the Ministry’s national-socialist past during the early years of the newly founded Federal Republic of Germany. The commission was given unrestricted access to the Ministry‘s files. In 2016/17, the commission published its concluding report in a book titled “The Rosenburg Files” (following World War II the Ministry’s offices were in the Rosenburg Castle in Bonn), which generated considerable interest among the German public and was widely covered in the media.

The results were also made available to a wider audience through an illuminating and memorable travelling exhibition, now being displayed for the first time in Israel.

Ministry of Justice Faces Up to its Past

The findings of the report cast a dark shadow on the first decades in the history of the Federal Ministry of Justice. Numerous members of the Ministry‘s executive staff had been involved in the power apparatus of the “Third Reich”: Of the 170 lawyers who held senior positions in the Ministry between 1949-1973, 90 had been members of the Nazi Party and 34 of the SA [short for ‘Sturmabteilung’ in German, the original paramilitary wing of the Nazi Party). This had far-reaching consequences with regard to the Federal Republic’s dealing with the aftermath of Nazism: Nazi laws were corrected only in a superficial manner, there was ongoing discrimination against former victims, and the prosecution of Nazi criminals was thwarted.

From the Rosenburg Exhibition at Tel Aviv University

Today, the German Federal Ministry of Justice is facing up to its history: The report from 2016/17 did not mark the end of the Rosenburg Project – the results have since been made available to a wider audience with an illuminating and memorable travelling exhibition, which seeks to raise awareness among a large audience of the historical injustice that took place post World War II at the hands of the Ministry itself. The exhibition, which seeks to shine light on what was previously in the shadows, has already been displayed in Germany, Poland and the USA and is now being displayed for the first time in Israel, coordinated by Minerva Center for Human Rights at Tel Aviv University.

The exhibition opening for “The Rosenburg – The Federal Ministry of Justice in the Shadow of the Nazi Past” took place at The Buchmann Faculty of Law at Tel Aviv University on February 20, 2023, in the presence of Dr. Marco Buschmann, German Federal Minister of Justice. Greetings were held by Prof. Yishai Blank, Dean, Buchmann Faculty of Law at Tel Aviv University, and Prof. Yoram Danziger, Justice (ret.) of the Supreme Court of Israel. The introductory lecture was held by Prof. Roni Stauber, Director of the Goldstein-Goren Diaspora Research Center at Tel Aviv University.

Visit the Exhibition

Visit the exhibition at the University’s Buchmann Faculty of Law & the David J. Light Law Library in the Trubowicz Building from February 20th, 2023 through May 14th, 2023.

Featured image: From the exhibition opening. Left to right: Steffen Seibert, German Ambassador to Israel, Prof. Yishai Blank, Dean Buchmann Faculty of Law at Tel Aviv University, Prof. Mark Shtaif Rector of Tel Aviv University & Dr. Marco Buschmann, German Federal Minister of Justice (Photo: Yael Zur, Tel Aviv University)(Photo Credit: TAU)

Dan David Prize Announces 2023 Winners

Written by AUFTAU on 23 February 2023. Posted in Newsroom.

The Dan David Prize, the largest history prize in the world, today announced its 2023 winners – nine emerging scholars and practitioners, whose work illuminates the past in bold and creative ways. Each of the winners – who work in Kenya, Ireland, Denmark, Israel, Canada and the United States – will receive $300,000 (USD) in recognition of their achievements and to support their future endeavors.

“Our winners represent the new generation of historians,” said Ariel David, board member of the Prize and son of the founder. “They are changing our understanding of the past by asking new questions, targeting under-researched topics and using innovative methods. Many of the winners we are recognizing today are still in the early stages of their careers, but they have already challenged how we think about history. Understanding the past, in all its complexity, is critical to illuminating the present and confronting the challenges of the future.”

The 2023 winners are listed below:

	Prof. Saheed Aderinto from Florida International University uses unusual lenses such as sexuality, guns, animals and music to reexamine colonial identity and subjecthood in modern Africa, with a particular focus on Nigeria (photo: JC Photography, Miami).
	Prof. Ana Antic from the University of Copenhagen is a social and cultural historian whose research focuses on the relationship between politics, violence and psychiatry in twentieth century Europe, as well as the decolonisation of psychiatric practices and concepts (photo: Zarko Ivetic).
	Karma Ben Johanan, a senior lecturer from The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, looks at the relationships between different religious traditions, most recently working on how the Catholic Church responded to Jews after the reconciliation attempts of Vatican II, and how orthodox Jewish thinkers have responded to the same developments (photo: Avigail Piperno-Beer)
	Asst. Prof. Elise Burton from University of Toronto is a historian of science, race and nationalism in the modern Middle East, focusing on the history of genetics, physical anthropology, evolutionary biology and biomedicine (photo: courtesy of Elise Burton).
	Prof. Adam Clulow from University of Texas at Austin is a global historian who reassesses power relations between Europe and East Asia, and uses video games and VR to make history accessible to both students and the wider public (photo: courtesy of Adam Clulow).
	Asst. Prof. Krista Goff from University of Miami uses oral history and everyday sources to understand the experiences of understudied ethnic minorities in the Soviet Union, especially those not recognized as nationalities by the state (photo: Courtesy of Krista Goff).
	Prof. Stephanie Jones-Rogers explores women’s social, economic and legal relationships to enslaved people and to the slave trade in the trans-Atlantic world (photo: Lily Cummings McCubbin).
	Asst. Prof. Anita Radini from University College, Dublin, is an “archaeologist of dirt” who analyzes the tiny remains of dust that collect in dental plaque, and uses them to learn about the work lives and environments of people in the past (photo: courtesty of Anita Radini).
	Chao Tayiana Maina is a public historian who uses digital technologies (she is the founder of African Digital Heritage) to capture and preserve previously hidden or suppressed historical narratives in Kenya, enabling communities to engage with their cultural heritage (photo: Lyra Aoko).

“We all share a past. We all shape the future”

“Insights about the past should circulate through every part of every community,” said Prof. Aviad Kleinberg, historian and Dan David Prize board member. “We all share a past. We all shape the future. Knowledge of the past – historical, not mythological – belongs to everyone. A culture that does not understand its past is like an individual with acute amnesia. Amnesia makes one bear the past’s consequences without awareness of it and without the power to escape it.”

The winners were selected from hundreds of nominations submitted by colleagues, institutions and the general public in an open nomination process. The finalists were chosen by a global committee of experts that changes annually. This year’s committee members were affiliated with a range of institutions including the universities of Cambridge, Paris, Pennsylvania and Seville. A full list of the 2023 committee is available here.

The Dan David Prize, endowed by the Dan David Foundation and headquartered at Tel Aviv University, was first established in 2001 by the late entrepreneur and philanthropist Dan David, to reward innovative and interdisciplinary work that contributed to humanity. In 2021, the Prize was relaunched with a focus on historical research, honoring the founder’s passion for history and archaeology. Today, the Prize rewards emerging scholars, aiming to help both academics and public historians fulfill their potential at a time when support for the humanities is dwindling.

The nine 2023 winners will be honored at the Dan David Prize Award Ceremony in Tel Aviv in May.

About the Dan David Prize

The Dan David Prize is the largest history prize in the world. Dan David, the founder of the Prize, believed that knowledge of the past enriches us and helps us grapple with the challenges of the present, and is a foundation for reimagining our collective future. At a time of diminishing support for the humanities, the Prize celebrates the next generation of outstanding historians, archaeologists, curators and digital humanists. Each year, up to nine researchers are awarded $300,000 each in recognition of their achievements and to support their future endeavors.

To learn more about Dan David, the Prize and the 2023 winners, visit www.dandavidprize.org.

Love Blossoms at Tel Aviv University

Written by AUFTAU on 14 February 2023. Posted in Newsroom.

Two TAU-made couples share their romantic stories.

Romance can be found on Tel Aviv University campus just as it can be found elsewhere in Tel Aviv, but “TAU couples” stand out from the crowd, with their shared love of science and passionate pursuit of the unknown! This Valentine’s Day, we tracked down two of our academic couples and asked them a few questions:

Karen & Matti

Prof. Karen Avraham, Tel Aviv University’s Dean of Medicine, is married to Prof. Matti Mintz, Emeritus at the School of Psychological Sciences at TAU’s Faculty of Social Sciences:

How did you meet?

An MD [Doctor of Medicine] from the Faculty of Medicine saw a poster of mine at a Research Fair. He suggested Matti contact this “famous scientist” who has a model for balance and hearing. Matti arrived in my office about a month later, when I managed to find the time to meet him. He arrived with a motorcycle helmet under his arm and I thought to myself – I didn’t know there were such cool professors at TAU!

What are the perks of being a “TAU couple”?

We have joint publications, joint supervision of graduate students, and can meet during the day for lunch (if I make time for lunch…).

Funny situations arise as well when you’re a TAU couple: One day a colleague from Medicine was in Matti’s office. After an hour, he said to Matti – why do you have a photograph of Prof. Karen Avraham in your office? Needless to know, he didn’t realize we were married.

The most romantic spot on TAU campus?

The path from Medicine to Psychology […].

Moran & Yoni

Dr. Moran Rubinstein from the Department of Human Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry is married to Dr. Yoni Haitin from the Physiology and Pharmacology Department, both at Tel Aviv University’s Faculty of Medicine.

Yoni and Moran

How did you meet?

We met during our B.Sc studies at TAU (The Multidisciplinary Program for Life Science and Medicine). Next, we started our M.Sc. studies together at The Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, The Faulty of Medicine, TAU, and proceeded together to the direct Ph.D. program.

What are the perks of being a “TAU couple”?

We have studied and worked together for a long time now. We performed numerous experiments jointly and still like to work together to this day.

The most romantic spot on TAU campus?

In the lab – we recently produced recombinant DNA together in Yoni’s lab for a study performed in my lab.

Happy Valentine’s Day to you all, from Tel Aviv University Campus!

Are You an Entrepreneur at Heart?

Written by AUFTAU on 9 February 2023. Posted in Newsroom.

Prof. Karen Avraham Wins Prestigious FISEB STAR Award for Scientific Excellence and Leadership

Written by AUFTAU on 1 February 2023. Posted in Newsroom.

The Federation of all the Israel Societies for Experimental Biology (FISEB) announced that Prof. Karen Avraham, Dean of Sackler Faculty of Medicine at Tel Aviv University is the winner of the STAR Award for Scientific Excellence and Leadership. The STAR Award is a prestigious award that recognizes outstanding scholars in biomedical research and is a testament to their dedication and contribution to advancing the academic community in Israel.

Exceptional Contributions with Significant Impact

The selection committee noted: “Prof. Karen Avraham’s contributions to the field have been truly exceptional and have significantly impacted the advancements of human genetics from basic concepts to innovative therapeutics. Her creative ideas, unwavering commitment and leadership have inspired many and set a benchmark for others.”

Prof. Karen Avraham, Dean of the Sackler Faculty of Medicine: “I am thrilled to receive this honor. There is nothing more significant than getting the recognition of your peers and colleagues. I have had tremendous opportunities to pursue my scientific research, leadership and mentoring in Israel for many years and I am very grateful for that.”

“Prof. Karen Avraham’s contributions to the field have been truly exceptional and have significantly impacted the advancements of human genetics from basic concepts to innovative therapeutics. Her creative ideas, unwavering commitment and leadership have inspired many and set a benchmark for others.” (The selection committee for the STAR Award)

Disease Genomics With Emphasis on Hearing Disorders

Prof. Avraham is recognized as one of Israel’s top scientists for her research that centers on disease genomics, with an emphasis on hearing disorders. Her team explores the genes responsible for hereditary hearing loss and implements new gene therapies to reverse deafness. Recently, she expanded her research to study rare genetic diseases including developmental delay, epilepsy and breathing disorders in children. She is a member of the Department of Human Molecular Genetics & Biochemistry at the Faculty of Medicine and the Sagol School of Neuroscience.

For her scientific achievements, she has won numerous awards, including the Sir Bernard Katz Prize from the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation in Germany and the Michael Bruno Memorial Prize from the Rothschild Foundation (Yad Hanadiv), and she was recently awarded the Israel Science Foundation Breakthrough Research Grant.

In addition to her outstanding research achievements, she is the first woman to serve as the Dean of Sackler Faculty of Medicine at TAU. Prof. Avraham also served as founder and former director of the Healthy Longevity Research Center and the Aufzien Family Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Parkinson’s Disease and of the Taube-Koret Global Collaboration in Neurodegenerative Disease. She is the founder and director of the Biomed@TAU Research Hubs, which aim to bring together scientists and foster collaboration from across Tel Aviv University and affiliated hospitals that share overlapping research interests.

The Federation of all the Israel Societies for Experimental Biology (FISEB) is a federation of 34 Israeli societies of experimental biology, which was established in 1994 in order to promote scientific collaboration between members of the societies.

Thousands Take Part in Tel Aviv University’s Open Day

Written by AUFTAU on 31 January 2023. Posted in Newsroom.

Today’s Open Day for undergraduate and graduate degrees at Tel Aviv University was a festive event. Prospective students came to learn about admission requirements and application processes, and to meet with academic staff and students from a variety of fields.

This year’s Open Day included visits to various faculty buildings and labs, enabling participants to really soak up the atmosphere of TAU’s vibrant academic life.

Particularly in demand were: an introductory session on TAU’s innovative teaching methods (including a virtual reality experience!); a presentation about a brand new interdisciplinary program combining humanities studies with data science and workshops helping prospective students choose a field of study (organized by TAU’s Department for Educational and Occupational Counseling and the Dean of Students).

Student exchange coordinators were also available to present the extensive selection of study abroad options that TAU offers.

Our grass is greener. Open Day at Tel Aviv University (Photo: LENS Production)

“This is the biggest Open Day event since before the pandemic,” says Sharon Ariel, Marketing Director at Tel Aviv University. “It was important for us to allow prospective students to get the most out of their campus experience today. Tours and meetings across campus gave them the opportunity to learn about the study programs from current students; see labs up-close and observe leading researchers conduct experiments and listen to lectures by faculty and administrative staff about different study options and tracks. Participants could also enter lecture halls for the first time and walk around our beautiful green campus. We gave all those who consider studying at Tel Aviv University the opportunity to feel like students for one day.”

It was a pleasure to host everyone on our beautiful campus. We hope we will have the privilege of helping them start their journeys in pursuit of the unknown.

Didn’t make it to Open Day?

All information on admission requirements for the various programs can be found on our registration website (in Hebrew) or on the TAU Lowy International School (in English).

So, what programs will you apply to? Open Day at Tel Aviv University (Photo: LENS Production)

Holocaust Education is Expanding in Africa, the Arab World, and Eastern Europe

Written by AUFTAU on 26 January 2023. Posted in Newsroom.

On the eve of International Holocaust Remembrance Day 2023, The Center for the Study of Contemporary European Jewry at Tel Aviv University published its annual report entitled ‘For a Righteous Cause’, focusing on initiatives of governments and citizens around the world to preserve Jewish heritage, teach about the Holocaust, and combat antisemitism and racism in general. The report aims to express appreciation for inspiring initiatives, encourage other similar activities, and propose ways for further improvement.

The findings presented in the Report indicate that recognizing the Holocaust and teaching lessons derived from it have recently expanded, even in countries where Holocaust education was uncommon, including in Africa and the Arab World.

Alongside this positive trend, many educational, social, and legal initiatives for combating Holocaust denial and antisemitism have been advanced in Western Europe, America, and Australia, indicating broad recognition of the problem and its severity.

“Regretfully, it must be admitted that despite global support for the fight against antisemitism, being a Jew has become less safe almost everywhere in the world,” said Prof. Uriya Shavit, Head of the Center. “But giving up the struggle is not the solution. We must learn systematically, in a comparative manner, what has been done and what can be improved.”

Prof. Shavit added that “While our purpose was to highlight positive initiatives for combating antisemitism all over the world, we also noted at the beginning of the Report that this fight must not become the only identity-definer of Jewish intellectuals and organizations, that the Jewish moral compass must not be limited to this issue alone, and that the study of Jewish history should not focus solely on the Holocaust. Israel cannot express reservations about European political parties with roots in fascism and expect to find a different attitude in Europe toward Israeli parties with fascist roots.”

The Report was authored by eight experts from different disciplines, including: Dr. Carl Yonker, Project Manager and Senior Researcher at the Center; the Center’s Founder, Prof. Dina Porat; Dr. Ofir Winter; Adv. Talia Naamat; and researcher Fabian Spengler.

Selected Highlights from the Report:

Holocaust education is spreading beyond Western Europe and America to countries in Africa and the Arab World

The Report’s findings indicate that recognition and teaching of the Holocaust have spread – even to countries where it was previously uncommon:

The Report includes an extensive discussion about Cyprus, presenting it as a model to be emulated: even though no antisemitic incidents have been recorded in the country in recent years, its government has emphasized teaching the history of the Holocaust and the lessons derived from it in the education system, in law enforcement organizations, and in sports clubs. This approach is based on a proactive view, an overall commitment to combating racism and xenophobia, and an understanding that learning about the Holocaust and fighting antisemitism is critical for a society that aims to strengthen its democratic and liberal values.
The Report analyzes the emerging interest in Jewish history and the Holocaust in several African countries, which see a resemblance between the tragedies experienced by the Jewish people and crimes against humanity perpetrated on the African continent. This sentiment is expressed, for example, in the Genocide Memorial National Museum in Rwanda, which commemorates the genocide of the country’s Tutsi minority that occurred four decades after the Holocaust while the world looked on in silence.
According to the Report, an encouraging trend was observed this year in several Arab countries, with rising recognition of the history of antisemitism and the crimes of the Nazis. For example, in January 2022, Egypt took part in a session of the UN General Assembly that adopted a resolution condemning Holocaust denial. The Egyptian Ambassador to the UN conveyed the Arab consensus on the resolution. This positive trend reflects a significant turnaround in Arab discourse on Jewish history. This was displayed in quite a few new initiatives, some in the literary sphere, promoting the preservation of Jewish heritage in several Arab countries, including Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Morocco. These projects are described extensively in the Report.
Significant positive developments were also observed in formerly Communist countries. In December 2021, the Elie Wiesel National Institute for the Study of the Holocaust in Romania launched the project “Stories from the Holocaust – Local Histories.” This initiative aimed to educate Romanians about the history of their communities from the perspective of Jews and Roma persecuted during the Holocaust. In 2022 the project included street exhibitions featuring the life stories of Jews and Roma and their tribulations during this dark period.
In November 2022, the Bulgarian Foreign Ministry organized an international conference on combating antisemitism and preserving Jewish heritage.
A significant step forward in combating antisemitism was also recorded in Ukraine. In February 2022, just a week before the fascist Russian invasion, the Ukrainian Parliament approved strict sentencing measures for antisemitic hate crimes: five to eight years in prison for antisemitic violence and a substantial fine for anti-Jewish incitement.

Wave of educational and legislative initiatives in Europe, America, and Australia

The Report documents many initiatives introduced over the past year in the Western World for preserving Jewish heritage, teaching about the Holocaust, and combating antisemitism. The initiatives indicate a growing awareness of the dangers posed by antisemitic propaganda on the internet, as well as increasing recognition of the importance of educating younger generations about the Holocaust.

Notable initiatives included:

In October 2022, the European Commission marked the first anniversary of the “European Union Strategy on Combating Antisemitism and Fostering Jewish Life (2021-2030)”. Actions during the first year included: combating antisemitism on the internet; the signing of the Vienna Declaration by 11 EU member states and several international organizations which committed to developing a common, standard methodology for recording antisemitic incidents; and launching a project to protect Jewish cemeteries in Moldova, Ukraine, Georgia, Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic.
Following discussions held in 2022, the European Parliament and European Commission are expected to pass the Digital Services Act, requiring online platforms to remove hate speech, provide information on their use of algorithms, and have clear rules to address complaints related to hate speech.
In January 2022, the Austrian Parliament was presented with the first annual implementation report detailing actions to advance the country’s National Strategy to prevent and combat all forms of antisemitism. Actions included: safeguarding Jewish life in the country and ensuring the Jewish community’s future; adoption of the IHRA Working Definition by Austria’s top football league, the Bundesliga; holding seminars on antisemitism for police officers; and initiating a declaration against antisemitism at the UN Human Rights Council.
In March 2022, the United States Senate appointed the country’s first special ambassador for monitoring and combating antisemitism, historian Prof. Deborah Lipstadt. In the summer, Lipstadt traveled to Israel, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. In March, President Biden signed the 2022 federal government funding package of US$2M to implement the Never Again Education Act. These funds will be used for training teachers by the US Holocaust Memorial Museum, as well as special activities for monitoring and combating global antisemitism. New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed three bills to ensure that schools in the state provide high-quality Holocaust education, that museums acknowledge art stolen by the Nazi regime, and that Holocaust survivors receive their reparation payments from Germany in full. Several states in the US, including New York, Iowa, New Mexico, and Arizona, adopted the IHRA definition of antisemitism.
In April, Canada introduced a federal bill that defines punishments for denying, condoning, or downplaying the Holocaust, and earmarks $70M for funding Jewish community initiatives. The city of Toronto launched a new public education campaign to raise awareness about antisemitism under the title “Toronto for All”. The campaign calls upon local citizens to become educated about the Jewish community and antisemitism, create inclusive spaces, and make their voices heard when they witness acts of bias and hate – offering support to victims, and reporting hate crimes to the authorities. The Canadian Provinces British Columbia and Alberta adopted the IHRA definition of antisemitism.
In July, the Organization of American States (OAS), in cooperation with the American Jewish Committee (AJC), co-published a Spanish-language handbook entitled “Handbook for the Practical Use of the IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism”. Guatemala and Colombia adopted the IHRA definition of antisemitism, joining the United States, Canada, and Argentina in the pledge to confront antisemitism throughout the Western Hemisphere.
Several positive initiatives were also seen in Australia. New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia adopted the IHRA definition of antisemitism. Victoria and NSW passed legislation banning public displays of Nazi symbols, specifically the swastika, with a maximum punishment of a year in jail and/or a substantial fine. Queensland and Tasmania also introduced legislation to ban Nazi symbols.

Borussia Dortmund, the major German football club, gets off the bench

The Report presents a detailed case study on the transformation of the German football club Borussia Dortmund – as a model of commitment to the fight against antisemitism, setting an example for other European sports clubs and organizations. The club, which in the past served as fertile ground for the activities of neo-Nazi pseudo-fans, now takes an active and firm stand against antisemitism. Among other actions, the club conducts educational tours for young fans to concentration camps and works closely with Yad Vashem.

Findings for 2022 Include:

> Significant new initiatives in several Eastern-European countries for teaching the history of the Holocaust and fighting antisemitism

> Cyprus has become a leader in the fight against antisemitism and racism

> Growing interest in Holocaust education in several African countries

> Growing recognition of the Holocaust in the Arab world, alongside renewed cultivation of Jewish heritage

> All this – alongside a wave of educational and legislative initiatives in Western Europe, America, and Australia

> The Report aims to express appreciation for positive initiatives, encourage other similar activities, and propose ways for further improvement

Read the full report >>

Coller School of Management Among World’s Top 100 Business Schools

Written by AUFTAU on 17 January 2023. Posted in Newsroom.

Tel Aviv University’s Coller School of Management was ranked among the 100 “Best Business Schools in The World For 2023” by CEOWORLD Magazine, the only Israeli school to be included in this comprehensive international ranking. The ranking was conducted through the 2023 Global Business Schools survey among thousands of senior executives around the world and mentioned 500 selected schools among the 13,000 business administration schools operating in the world. Coller School of Management came in on the 99th place.

The ranking is based on seven main indicators of quality and reputation, including academic reputation, admission eligibility conditions, job placement rate, recruiting employer feedback, specialization reputation and global influence, as well as tuition fees and payments.

Prof. Dan Amiram, Dean of the School of Management, says that the impressive ranking reflects “the hard work and dedication of hundreds of people – researchers, lecturers, students and alumni – who have all contributed to the extensive work which has earned the School its solid reputation over many years. We are very proud of the extraordinary achievements of our students and alumni, as well as the positive feedback and the international appreciation which we receive.”

Prof. Dan Amiram, Dean of Tel Aviv University’s School of Management

CEOWORLD Magazine conducted the survey among 35,000 business managers, alumni, international business influencers, industry professionals, business school academics and employers and recruiters in 156 countries, in the period between September 15 – December 22, 2022. 10% of the interviews were conducted by phone, 82% online and 8% by mail or in person. All quantitative interviews were conducted confidentially, without relying on the submission of data by the academic institutions.

This ranking follows shortly after the Pitchbook ranking for 2022 which placed TAU as number seven in the world for entrepreneurship, and on first place outside the U.S.

New National Research Center at Tel Aviv University

Written by AUFTAU on 10 January 2023. Posted in Newsroom.

The Israel Center for Applied Systems Analysis to be established.

The Israel Ministry of Innovation, Science, and Technology (MOST), the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA) in Austria, and Tel Aviv University (TAU) are proud to announce the establishment of a new national Research Center for Applied Systems Analysis, called the Israel Center for Applied Systems Analysis or ICASA for short.

Focus on Sustainability

ICASA will be focused on the topic of sustainability and cooperate with research organizations from around the world, especially with IIASA, aiming to connect research teams from different institutions, foster research innovation, and serve as a hub for science-based policy making at the national and local government levels. Israel has recently renewed its IIASA membership for the next five years, and the institute will use IIASA’s existing integrated assessment models and research framework to localize it for the unique conditions of the Israeli economy.

Israel’s Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology will fund the institute at NIS 3 million for its first five years, with an additional 3 million shekels matched by TAU and other external resources, over this period, following which the center will become an independent national research center.

A multidisciplinary team of TAU researchers will be leading the four main study topics of the center including

Prof. Asher Tishler (Energy and Climate)
Prof. Hadas Mamane (Technology and Innovation)
Prof. Itzik Sasson (Demography and Resiliency) and
Dr. Vered Blass (Resource Management)

The topics will include a variety of disciplines such as water, energy, climate change, circular economy, transportation systems, agriculture and food systems, health, biodiversity, economics, demography, and policymaking.

The prioritized research areas of ICASA will be aligned, where appropriate, to the strategic research areas of IIASA. Research areas at IIASA include the following programs: Economic Frontiers; Biodiversity and Natural Resources; Advancing Systems Analysis; Energy, Climate and Environment; Population and Just Societies and Strategic Initiatives.

“IIASA is a world-renowned organization whose trust in our brilliant researchers is evident in their decision to invest in Tel Aviv University researchers and Israel at large.” Hilla Haddad Chmelnik, Israel’s Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology

Driving Israeli Research Forward

Hilla Haddad Chmelnik, Director General of Israel’s Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, said: “The establishment of the Israel Center for Applied Systems Analysis is of major significance to Israel. We are honored to fund the center, thereby driving Israeli research forward and maintaining its long-held status as the ‘startup nation’ and as an ideal ecosystem for scientific endeavors. IIASA is a world-renowned organization whose trust in our brilliant researchers is evident in their decision to invest in Tel Aviv University researchers and Israel at large. Furthermore, this decision reaffirms Israel’s potential for leadership in some of the most pressing fields of science today. The center will be a force multiplier for Israeli research in terms of its funding, the extent of its research and its subsequent contribution. That is a huge step in bringing Israeli research to the fore and strengthening international collaborations, all at the same time.”

Prof. Itai Sened, the head of the new center and Dean of TAU’s Gershon H. Gordon Faculty of Social Sciences, added: “The aim of the Israeli Center for Applied Systems Analysis is to be a focal point for applied systems analysis to serve the Israeli academia, government and industry in developing and applying integrated models into decision making. Applied systems analysis is a new research theme in Israel and we hope to make Israel a world leader in the field by fostering international collaboration with the next generation of researchers.”

Dr. Vered Blass of the Porter School of the Environment and Earth Sciences, who led the proposal team, added: “If Israel is to meet its goals for preparing for climate change risks, reducing greenhouse emissions and air pollution, while maximizing the efficiency of natural resources use and their associated environmental impacts, it will need to adopt mid to long term planning and policy practices, taking, amongst other innovative planning methodologies, a systems analysis approach. The center will bring together the academic, governmental and private sectors to work on the most pressing challenges facing humanity at this point. Our goal is to find the most sustainable and innovative ways to reduce our ecological footprint while strengthening our natural, economic and social ecosystems.”

Tel Aviv University Establishes Multidisciplinary Center for Research of Autoimmune Diseases

Written by AUFTAU on 18 December 2022. Posted in Newsroom.

Tel Aviv University has established the Colton Center, Israel’s first multidisciplinary center for the study of autoimmune diseases – chronic conditions involving an abnormal response of the immune system within body tissues. The Center will collaborate with Israel’s medical centers and health services including HMO’s and Hospitals as well as selected scientists from other academic institutions to enable big data analytics of medical information and biological samples from patients with autoimmune diseases and promote understanding of the causes of morbidity and recurrent flareups and possible early diagnostics and treatments.

The TAU research approach will be unique in its nature fundamentally being based on big data analytics that will direct any traditional scientific wet lab work. The intent of the center would be to grant research funding to multidisciplinary groups of scientists including computer science, engineering, biology, statistics, mathematics, psychology, and more. The different research programs will be managed based on agreed upon milestones with the ability to reach substantial sums upon success. In addition to its multidisciplinary clinical research, the new Center will encourage experimental and theoretical studies in immunology and conduct workshops and conferences jointly with the three other Colton Centers.

Goal: Finding a Cure for Autoimmune Diseases

The Center’s establishment was enabled by a generous donation of $10 million from TAU Governors Judith and Stewart Colton. It is the fourth research center founded by the Colton family to address autoimmune diseases, joining three centers already operating in the USA – at Yale University, the University of Pennsylvania, and NYU.

“Stewart and Judith Colton, renowned Jewish philanthropists and dear friends of TAU, have set themselves a goal,” explains Prof. Ariel Porat, President of TAU. This goal is “to develop drugs and treatments for autoimmune diseases. For this purpose, they have established dedicated centers at three leading American universities, and now decided to extend this activity to TAU.”

“This donation is following many years of active contribution by the Colton Foundation to TAU’s innovation and entrepreneurships in wide range of disciplines. We are proud to belong to this elite group of universities, and together with them and the Colton family, we will strive to find a cure for autoimmune diseases.”

“Even though autoimmune diseases have been known to science since the beginning of the 20th century, we still don’t have adequate tools for prevention, treatment, or prediction of morbidity and recurrent flareups.” Mr. Stewart Colton

Tel Aviv University

In Need of Adequate Tools

Mr. Stewart Colton comments: “We believe the Consortium created by the four universities will multiply the opportunities for advancing the chances for successful research. We have worked with TAU for almost 40 years and recognize the unique talent and dedication brought to innovative science. It is a terrible disease that deserves more attention.”

“I am particularly proud that Prof. Uri Nevo from the Department of Biomedical Engineering, who was one of the Colton Fellow graduates, was appointed to be the Chair of the Center’s Steering Committee.”

“The category of autoimmune diseases covers over 100 diseases, with relatively familiar examples including lupus, multiple sclerosis (MS), psoriasis, and Crohn’s disease. Autoimmune diseases are defined as diseases in which the immune system, instead of pathogens such as viruses and bacteria, or cells infected with these pathogens, attack the body’s healthy tissues. Even though autoimmune diseases have been known to science since the beginning of the 20th century, we still don’t have adequate tools for prevention, treatment, or prediction of morbidity and recurrent flareups.”

“The new Colton Center represents the best of basic and translational research – a true collaboration between researchers and clinicians to explore the optimal avenues for deciphering the mechanisms and therapy for autoimmune diseases.” Prof. Karen Avraham

True Collaboration Between Researchers and Clinicians

Prof. Karen Avraham, Dean of TAU’s Sackler Faculty of Medicine adds: “the new Colton Center represents the best of basic and translational research – a true collaboration between researchers and clinicians to explore the optimal avenues for deciphering the mechanisms and therapy for autoimmune diseases.”

“We will start our research carefully and modestly, hoping that from the focused study we will learn about the basic principles underlying autoimmune diseases, and eventually impact the understanding of many of these diseases, and benefit vast numbers of patients.” Prof. Uri Nevo

Aim to Benefit Vast Numbers of Patients

Prof. Uri Nevo from the Department of Biomedical Engineering, Chair of the Center’s Steering Committee, explains that the Center’s purpose is to promote the study and understanding of autoimmune diseases in order to improve their prevention and treatment. The first goal, he says, is to obtain measurable results, identify early signs and develop predictive algorithms for both initial onset and recurrent flare-ups. Eventually, studies may provide explanations, and possibly even discover the cause.

Other goals are to define practical recommendations for preventing onset and recurrence or reducing severity, and acquire new insights about disease mechanisms, enabling the development of new treatment strategies in the future.

Prof. Nevo: “Due to the complexity of the immune system, and the difficulty in measuring the interaction between the immune system and tissues in the body, we face some tough challenges. We do not understand the biological mechanism that drives many autoimmune diseases, or how they are connected with genetic and environmental risk factors. As a result, very few specific medications are on offer, and in many cases the disease becomes chronic.

“One of our main objectives is to establish research collaborations with various players: the medical institutions affiliated with TAU, the health services, and representatives of NPOs addressing the various diseases. Our intention is to sample their data and utilize the vast knowledge they have accumulated. The data will enable computerized analysis of samples taken from autoimmune patients in Israel, to help us understand the causes for the onset and recurrent flareups of these diseases.”

To choose the focus of its research for the next few years, the Colton Center is presently sending out a dedicated survey to thousands of clinicians and researchers in Israel. “We want to hear the opinions of doctors and experts, in order to focus on a limited number of diseases,” says Prof. Nevo. “We will start our research carefully and modestly, hoping that from the focused study we will learn about the basic principles underlying autoimmune diseases, and eventually impact the understanding of many of these diseases, and benefit vast numbers of patients.”

Featured image: Mr. and Mrs. Colton