A Warm Home for Students

On June 12, the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology inaugurated the Marc Hamon Anières House, a dormitory designed to house 120 students studying at the University who are a part of the Anières Program. The event took place as part of the Technion Board of Governors Meeting.

At the beginning of the Board of Governors meeting, Technion President Professor Uri Sivan awarded Marc Hamon the Guardian pin. The title of Technion Guardian is reserved for individuals who have achieved the highest level of support and commitment to the Technion.

The Anières students with the program’s directors and the Technion management

Technion President Prof. Uri Sivan said, “when Anières representatives first visited the Technion, many years ago, it didn’t take us long to understand that we shared the same values. The ensuing conversation was all about values, rather than bricks and mortar, and to this day values are the base of this special partnership. Anières is an inspiring program, and I hope that the partnership between us is for life. On behalf of the Technion, I tell you: we are proud of the Anières program, and fully committed to it!”

Technion President Prof. Uri Sivan

Mr. Hamon studied at the ORT Central Institute in the town of Anières, Switzerland near Geneva – a place established from 1947 to 1997, to educate instructors then in 1959, engineers at the School of Engineers in Geneva. A few years after the closure of the Institute, the program was brought back to life in Israel with the help of Robert Singer, then CEO of World ORT, as an educational project of World ORT – Kadima Mada in collaboration with the Na’aleh program of the Ministry of Education, the Jewish Agency, the Technion, and the Wizo Nahalal Youth Village. The Anières House offers amenities such as shared study spaces, a club, a large balcony, a gallery, and more. It currently houses 120 students, a number that is expected to grow.

Mr. Marc Hamon at the ceremony

“It is a great pleasure for me to be here today to inaugurate the Anières House,” Mr. Hamon said at the inauguration ceremony. “This is a major milestone for the Anières Project. In 1999, I was visiting Geneva, accompanied by an Anières alumnus like me. It brought back memories of how much influence that school, created by Dr. Aron Syngalovski, has had on my life. I approached ORT, we started working with the Technion, and in 2013 we opened, with 30 international students studying in Nahalal. Now we finally have a building for our students, here, on campus, and our dream has become a reality. We dream of giving socioeconomically disadvantaged young bright students the opportunity to study engineering at one of the best engineering schools in the world. This is an opportunity better than the one we had.”

“In the Anières House,” he addressed the students, “you can feel at home, and study efficiently and pleasantly. It’s a center of life where you’re going to learn a profession, bond with other students, and make lifelong friends, which creates a special Anières culture. I hope the next generation of tech technology leaders is going to come from here and perpetuate the Anières dream.”

The years of their engineering or computer science degree, students receive financial, academic and social support. Thanks to a skilled team responsible for the progress of every individual student, extracurricular workshops, additional content, events and mutual responsibility, the Anières students become a strong and nurturing community.

From left to right: Mr. Robert Singer, Mr. Marc Hamon and Technion President Prof. Uri Sivan

Mr. Robert Singer, co-founder of the program, said “The Anières project will change the lives of hundreds of students, becoming an engine of the future of Israel. It gives bright students the opportunity to succeed, in the location that would support and nurture them along the way. Thank you, Marc, for believing in this institution and in these young students! It is an honor for me to take part in this project. Marc Hamon was born in Morocco. In Anières, Marc Hamon was given an opportunity. He took it, and he triumphed in his career. And he never forgot it was his duty to likewise help others. I hope the students of today will one day be in the same position.”

Mr. Robert Singer at the ceremony

Jacques Levy, President of Anières Alumni Association, also addressed the students: “I rejoice at the inauguration of this house. One hundred and twenty students from the Anières program already live here. This house will be the center of many social and cultural events. Our mission is to facilitate studies and open new horizons. We wish to nurture curiosity and a taste of adventure. You will become Technion engineers, but with a little something extra; you will be leaders. I wish you beautiful studies and great moments in your house!”

Mr. Jacques Levy, President of Anières Alumni Association

Yakira Hannah Bienenfeld, Anières student in the Faculty of Aerospace Engineering, recounted how she moved to Israel during high school. “I’ve always dreamed about studying in the Technion,” she said. “I’ve heard about the Anières program, but only after joining, I realized how amazing it is. Marc Hamon’s vision is realized here every day. Ira, Yael and Mor are creating a close-knit community. On behalf of all Anières students, I thank Mr. Hamon and the team who led the inauguration of the Marc Hamon Anières House in the Technion – our new home!”

Ms. Yakira Hannah Bienenfeld

Technion Dean of Students, Professor Ayelet Fishman, the event’s Mistress of Ceremonies, said that the Anières House aims to be a “home away from home” for the students – a place where they would be able not only to study their chosen discipline, but also exchange ideas, spend time together, and form a social network that would stay with them throughout their career. “This was an important characteristic of Anières House in Switzerland, and that’s what Mr. Hamon wishes to give our students here.”

The Dean of Students, Prof. Ayelet Fishman