A Jumpstart in Education

The Technion hosted the inauguration ceremony for the Anières Preparatory Program, an initiative that will help dozens of new immigrants gain admission to various Technion faculties and programs, including computer science, electrical and computer engineering, data engineering, software engineering, aeronautical engineering, systems engineering, and chemical and biochemical engineering. The event took place approximately one year after the opening of the Marc Hamon Anières House on the Technion campus, where around 120 students currently reside while studying in the program.

Students of the program with the program’s leadership, Technion management, and Anières representatives

The Anières initiative is spearheaded by Marc Hamon, who was awarded the Technion Guardian pin in 2023 by President Prof. Uri Sivan. The title of Technion Guardian is reserved for individuals who have achieved the highest level of support and commitment to the Technion.

Hamon studied at a leading technological institution of the World ORT organization in Anières, Switzerland. A few years after the institution closed in the late 1990s, with Hamon’s support, the program was transformed into a World ORT Kadima Mada educational project, in collaboration with the Israeli Ministry of Education’s Naale program, the Jewish Agency, the Technion, and the WIZO Nahalal Youth Village.

Zoom call with Marc Hamon

“You are fortunate,” Marc Hamon told the students. “I was in a similar situation 55 years ago when I was given one last chance through the Anières program to become an engineer with a wonderful career. I told myself, ‘I will do everything in my power to get into that engineering school and become an engineer.’ We live in a technological world, and if I had to choose a profession today, I would choose engineering again because it is the best way to make a difference in the world. You are pioneers, the first cohort in the preparatory program, and I wish you all the success in the world.”

Joining the students of the first cohort at the event were Robert Singer, co-founder of the Anières Preparatory Program, chairman of the Board of Alumot Or and the Center for Jewish Impact, former CEO of the World Jewish Congress (WJC), and former CEO of World ORT; Kim Webb, head of the Preparatory Program; Irina Nirko, head of Student Affairs at the Haifa and Northern District Administration for New Immigrants; Prof. Tali Tal, head of the Pre-Academic Education Center at the Technion; Ilana Lustig, director of the Center; Ira Lotman, director of the Anières Program; Misha Klinov, the first graduate of the Anières Program at the Technion; and Lt. Col. Oria, commander of the Atidim Program in the IDF.

“We see this program as an important bridge for integrating immigrants, recognizing the great potential they hold for contributing to Israel,” said President Sivan. “Our relationship with the Anières program is not long, but it is a deep and inspiring connection. From our very first meeting with Anières representatives some years ago, our conversation focused not on funding or construction but on values — values that to this day form the foundation of this special partnership. Anières is a program that inspires tremendous admiration, and I have no doubt that the partnership we have created will be a lifelong one. On behalf of the Technion, I want to say that we are proud of the Anières Program and fully committed to it.”

Valeria Roytsh, an 18-year-old from Ukraine who came to Israel three years ago through the Naale program, spoke on behalf of the first cohort of students. “After high school, I knew I wanted to study at a university, and then I came across the Anières Program, which led me to the best university. Thank you to the Technion, the Anières Program, and everyone who helped and will continue to help with this project for the opportunity to study physics, Hebrew, English, and mathematics in the preparatory program and be ready for studies at the Technion.”

The new program provides participants with financial, academic, and social support to help them realize their potential and gain admission to the Technion. It includes a living stipend that covers all living expenses, academic and social mentorship, a community and networking opportunities, including lectures and workshops to enhance non-academic skills.

“The Anières Preparatory Program is more than just a preparatory program—it consists of three months of Ulpan (intensive Hebrew language courses), three months of pre-preparation, and nine months of preparation,” said Kim Webb, head of the Program. “The first cohort began with 36 students selected from 498 applicants, all of whom are new immigrants with limited financial means. Next summer, we will launch two additional groups, with around fifty students in total, half of whom are new immigrants already in Israel and half from abroad.”

Anières Preparatory Program founder Robert Singer (right) with Technion President Prof. Uri Sivan

Robert Singer, one of the founders of the Anières Preparatory Program, told the students, “You were selected from among 498 candidates, and from here on, it all depends on you and your dedication. Your mission here is to study and excel, and we will take care of everything else. We expect you to not only be excellent engineers but also outstanding Israelis.”

Prof. Tali Tal, head of the Pre-Academic Education Center at the Technion, under which all Technion preparatory programs operate, said, “I took on the role of head of the center to fulfill social goals that are important to me and the Technion: to expand the human diversity on campus and to give opportunities to populations whose backgrounds make it difficult for them to gain admission to the Technion without a preparatory program. The Anières Preparatory Program will undoubtedly fulfill these goals.”

Ilana Lustig, director of the Pre-Academic Center, who led the establishment of the program, told the students, “I met with the Anières team for the first time just a year ago. It was a very emotional meeting for me, and I immediately felt that we could build this. We made a focused and fast effort to recruit you — brilliant and outstanding students. I believe in this program. Each of you will receive a wonderful opportunity here — the opportunity to study at the best university in Israel and become successful citizens here in Israel.”

Misha Klinov, the first Technion graduate of the Anières Program and chairman of the program’s Alumni Association, also attended the event. Misha, who came to the Technion from the WIZO Nahalal Youth Village and completed a degree at the Andrew and Erna Viterbi Faculty of Electrical and Computer Engineering, is currently a master’s student at the faculty. He said, “The program paved the way for my career. It is a life-changing program.”

Lt. Col. Oria, commander of the Atidim Program in the IDF, which will guide the students in the preparatory program as they prepare for their future military service, said, “The IDF always needs talented people like you, especially today. Thank you for this collaboration, which is so important to the IDF and Israeli society as a whole. It is a great responsibility for us to guide these students as they prepare for the army and during their service, and we will do everything we can to support them in realizing their potential.”