The Hebrew University of Jerusalem (HUJI)

In the late 19th century, great thinkers came together to envision what a Hebrew university could look like. A university of the Jewish people. It was a thought, a dream, to establish an exceptional institution of higher learning in Israel – Well b nstitution of higher learning in Israel – Well before statehood was assured. In 1882, Zvi Hermann Shapira, a rabbi and professor of mathematics, began publishing a series of articles advocating for such a place. Soon the idea was embraced by major Jewish scholars and leaders of the early 20th century, including Otto Warburg, Sigmund Freud, Martin Buber, Chaim Weizmann and Albert Einstein – each of whom helped develop and rally support for the idea. Finally, in 1918, after years of campaigning, a university for the Jewish people broke ground in Jerusalem and its doors opened in 1925. The Hebrew University of Jerusalem is Israel's premier university as well as its leading research institution and is consistently ranked among the 100 leading universities in the world and number one among Israeli universities. From the early days of developing new methods of irrigation for a dry climate to today, our scholars receive extraordinary numbers of research grants and academic awards. The work done within our campuses has led to breakthrough treatments for Alzheimer’s disease and ovarian cancer, agricultural advancements, new perspectives on the legal system, politics, and society, as well as lifesaving smart vehicle technology. The university encourages multi-disciplinary activities in Israel and overseas and serves as a bridge between academic research and its social and industrial applications. Hebrew University has set as its goals the training of public, scientific, educational and professional leadership; the preservation of and research into Jewish, cultural, spiritual and intellectual traditions; and the expansion of the boundaries of knowledge for the benefit of all humanity. In Jerusalem, one of the most beautiful of cities in the world, the university maintains three campuses: the Mount Scopus campus for the humanities and social sciences; the Edmond J. Safra Campus for exact sciences; and the Ein Karem Campus for medical sciences. Its other campuses are the Rehovot faculty for agriculture, food, veterinary medicine and environmental sciences; the veterinary hospital in Beit Dagan; and the Interuniversity Institute for Marine Sciences in Eilat. The university boasts three sports facilities which are among the most advanced in the country, 11 libraries, five computer centers, 6,000 dormitory beds, and dozens of student activity groups focusing on politics, society, the environment, and more. Hebrew University aims to create a fair, equal, safe, and encouraging environment for all, regardless of race, religion, gender identity, sexual preference, and ethnicity. Faculty, students, administrators, and staff fully embrace a vision of equity, diversity, and inclusion. We have an opportunity to lead by example, both as an institution and as individuals, to create a more equal and just society. Hebrew University does not tolerate any form of discrimination. If you feel that you have been subjected to discrimination, please submit a complaint. A coordinator from the Rothberg International School is tasked with handling all issues related to diversity and inclusion at Hebrew University, as well as in Jerusalem and Israel. Promoting an inclusive community in which diversity is valued and every member feels they have a rightful place and are welcomed, respected, and supported. Developing and supporting programs and policies that help attract and retain students from historically underrepresented groups, as well as hiring and promoting faculty, administrators, and staff from those groups. Building structures that promote inclusiveness and equity for all members of the community, especially students and staff from marginalized groups. Eliminating intimidation, bullying and harassment, including unwanted physical contact, offensive jokes, personal insults, and offensive materials. Such unwanted actions will be treated as disciplinary offenses. The university runs six pre-academic preparatory programs for more than 1,000 students every year, recognizing the importance of providing an opportunity for people from all parts of society to study at the university: a general pre-university preparatory program, a preparatory program for Arab students from East Jerusalem, a preparatory program for immigrants, a preparatory program for ultra-Orthodox students, a matriculation preparation program, and a preparatory nursing program for students from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds. Hebrew University is making great efforts to increase the number of both students and faculty from minority groups, in particular ultra-Orthodox Jews, Arabs, Ethiopian-Israelis and people from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds. These efforts include special preparatory programs, as well as academic and social assistance programs. In addition, the university implements affirmative action in its admissions, by easing admission criteria for students from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds who are recognized as eligible by the Association for the Advancement of Education. Steps are also being taken to express the diverse university community within the public sphere of the university. These include a Jewish-Arab leadership group, which runs cultural events on campus, and an interfaith dialogue group, which meets for discussion on topics relating to Jewish, Christian, and Muslim sources. This initiative fosters entrepreneurship and leadership among the university’s talented Arab and Druze students from medical and engineering fields. Arab students, who realized that such students were lacking entrepreneurial role models and skills, partnered with the private sector to set up Wamda-Tech. Three start-ups have already been established as a result. The Hebrew University Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship helps students and alumni bring to fruition their ideas for digital and social startups. The programs are free and combine hands-on workshops and lectures, as well as consultations with leading entrepreneurs, investors and experts who help the students develop their ideas. The program helps break stigmas and create positive interactions between ultra-Orthodox, religious and secular Jewish students, as well as provide the ultra-Orthodox students with the help they need to succeed in academia. Every week, pairs of ultra-Orthodox and secular or religious students study together. For the first two hours, the secular or religious student tutors his/her ultra-Orthodox peer in the basic academic subjects in which they lack background knowledge, such as Math, Sciences, Computers, and English. In the remaining hour, the pair studies together a Jewish text of their choice, using it as the basis for discussion and mutual understanding. A summer school for graduate students brings together students from Israel, Iran, and Arab countries, who study neuroscience together. The project is an initiative of the Edmond & Lily Safra Center for Brain Sciences, and students have enjoyed summer schools for the past five years. ...view more