Honorary Fellows

The festive ceremony – the first in almost 3 years because of the COVID-19 pandemic – took place during the annual Technion Board of Governors meeting, and three distinguished individuals received an Honorary Fellowship. The ceremony was held in the presence of Technion President Professor Uri Sivan, Chairman of the Board of Governors Mr. Scott Leemaster, members of the Technion management and Faculty deans.

L-R: Gal Haber, Robert (Rob) Polak, Ira Taub

Technion President Prof. Uri Sivan expressed his joy at being able to finally hold the ceremony in-person again and talked about the transitions to digital teaching that were forced upon them during the pandemic and the new challenge of using digital mentoring technologies. Despite great leaps in this area, he went on to say that no matter how advanced we are in digital terms, students love to be on campus. “Person to person interactions are near and dear to our hearts, as they clearly are to our three awardees celebrating here with us tonight.”

Scott Leemaster, Chairman of the Board of Governors, also expressed his joy in being able to meet in person with like-minded Technion supporters from all over the world. And reminding everyone that we are approaching the 100^th anniversary of the Technion, he identified (with the help of former President Peretz Lavie) five remarkable individuals who had an extraordinary impact on the Technion. From Dr. Paul Nathan who established the Technion in its first building; to Eliezer Kaplansky, Technion’s general manager from 1931 to 1950; General Yaakov Dori, the first President of the Technion; Prof. Sydney Goldstein, the first Dean of Aeronautical Engineering and as Academic Vice President; and finally Major General Amos Horev, whose life is intertwined with the Technion’s to this day.

Mr. Leemaster also congratulated Prof. Adi Salzberg, on taking up her senior position as Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion, a new post created by Prof. Uri Sivan to safeguard the fundamental principles of the Technion as being open to all, regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, or gender.

Finally, he reminded us that the Technion makes history every single day with its innovations and achievements. He spoke of the historic Abraham Accords which are already leading to new collaborations with our neighbors, and mentioned the next Space-IL’s mission to the moon, which will be a joint Israeli-Emirates project.

Robert (Rob) Polak

With gratitude for your enthusiastic support of Israel and the Technion; in honor of continuing your rich family legacy while creating your own niche; in appreciation of your vision to advance Technion’s most commercially promising research; in recognition for all you do for students and soldiers; and in thankfulness for the many contributions that have made you a Technion Guardian.

Robert (Rob) Polak with Technion President Prof. Uri Sivan

Ira Taub

In appreciation of your passionate concern for Israel and advancing Technion’s global impact; in honor of furthering your parents’ historic vision; in recognition of your active leadership in the American Technion Society and your community; and in gratitude for your pivotal role in directing philanthropic funds to priority areas across the Technion, especially computer science, and institutions throughout Israel and the United States.

Ira Taub with Technion President Prof. Uri Sivan

Gal Haber

In recognition of your achievements as an entrepreneur, innovator, and industry leader; in gratitude for your contributions to the Technion and to Israeli society, in particular to the education and personal empowerment of youth; and in appreciation of your position as a role model who continues to inspire Technion students and graduates as they embark on their professional journeys.

Gal Haber with Technion President Prof. Uri Sivan