“A rare combination of patience, deep thinking, and creativity”

Recently, 900 students received their master’s degrees from various Technion faculties, more than 43% of them women. A ceremony honoring 38 master’s graduates who completed their studies with the highest honors was held in the presence of Technion President Prof. Uri Sivan, Dean of the Graduate School Prof. Uri Peskin, Technion management, faculty deans, students, and their families.

The graduates who completed their studies with the highest honors, with Technion President Prof. Uri Sivan and Dean of the Graduate School Prof. Uri Peskin

“This evening is one of light and hope during a difficult and complex time,” said Prof. Sivan during the ceremony. “In the past year, we have been in a prolonged and painful war for our continued existence in this land. About 3,500 students and members of the administrative and academic staff were called up for reserve duty. Most of them have returned to their studies, but additional orders await them. Alongside all Israeli citizens, we mourn the fallen and the murdered and hope for the return of the hostages and the recovery of the wounded—many of whom are part of the Technion family.”

Prof. Sivan further addressed the graduates, saying: “At the Technion, you received the best professional tools to continue to excel and stand out in whatever you do, but we also expect you to excel and lead on a moral level. We see you as leaders with ethical and social awareness, who understand that your careers are not just meant to enrich your lives but also to make a positive impact on humanity and Israeli society.”

Technion President Prof. Uri Sivan at the ceremony

Dean of the Graduate School Prof. Uri Peskin said, “At this time, we are all worried and anxious about the near and distant future. Despite this, and without ignoring the extreme and unique circumstances under the shadow of war, this evening provides us with an opportunity to focus on what we have and what is good. We have much to be proud of and much to be thankful for. 58% of the graduates completed a degree with a research thesis, and it’s noteworthy that among those graduating with a thesis, women are the majority—55%. All graduates were ranked based on their academic and research achievements, with the top 15% being defined as outstanding, and you, those who graduated with the highest honors, ranked in the top 4%. I want to thank each and every one of you, firstly, for choosing the Technion as the foundation for building your professional careers, and secondly, for doing it so well. I hope that your experience at the Technion has become an integral part of you and that you will serve as ambassadors of the Technion wherever you go.”

Graduate Bar Dolinsky with Technion President Prof. Uri Sivan and Dean of the Graduate School Prof. Uri Peskin

Among those who received a master’s degree was the family of the late Master Sergeant Dovi Kogan. An MSc degree in Mechanical Engineering was awarded to Dovi’s widow, Shaked, his son, and his mother, Chaya, in a ceremony held at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering. Master Sergeant Dovi Kogan, who was deployed to the south on October 7 and fought with his team in Be’eri and Re’im, fell on November 9, 2023, in a battle in the Gaza Strip. He was a master’s student, nearing the end of his studies in the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering. After his death, his supervisor, Prof. Shmuel Osovski, and the faculty dean, Prof. Alon Wolf, initiated the completion of his final thesis.

Dean of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering Prof. Alon Wolf and Prof. Shmuel Osovski presenting the MSc degree in Mechanical Engineering to Shaked, the widow of the late Chief Sergeant Dovi Kogan, his son, and his mother Chaya at the ceremony. (Photo credit: Dor Aharon)

Prof. Wolf noted, “I want to emphasize that the degree was awarded to Dovi not as a gesture, but because he truly earned it. Dovi left behind extensive notes, and in fact, his thesis was almost entirely written. We only had to finalize some ‘connections’ and do some editing. The edited thesis underwent a full review by three independent examiners, who unanimously gave it a high grade. One of them even remarked to me that there are discoveries in the thesis worthy of publication in a leading journal in the field. The thesis then received the approval of the Graduate School’s Degree Committee and the Technion Senate. At the ceremony, I presented the degree to Dovi’s widow, Shaked, his son, and his mother, Chaya, with great respect and appreciation for Dovi’s service in defending the state and his significant dedication to his studies, which were tragically cut short by his untimely death.”

According to Prof. Osovski, who supervised Dovi’s research, “Dovi was a brilliant engineer and an exceptional person. His character and spirit left an indelible mark on everyone who knew him. In our many discussions, both professional and personal, Dovi demonstrated a rare combination of patience, deep thinking, and creativity. He had an extraordinary talent for resonating ideas in a way that ensured mutual understanding and often helped me refine my thoughts and notice details I had overlooked. This talent was a testament both to his intellectual abilities and his sincere care for others and desire to understand their perspectives, whether in professional or personal conversations. As an engineer, Dovi was remarkably talented and creative. He approached every problem with a positive attitude, viewing complexities not as obstacles but as fascinating challenges. His ability to tackle complex issues while finding ways to simplify them was truly impressive. His work on this project exemplified these qualities and made a significant contribution to the research. Beyond his professional contributions, Dovi inspired me to grow as a person. His unwavering determination, self-reflection, and deep commitment to unity were a source of inspiration. Dovi always emphasized the importance of seeing others, finding common ground, and demonstrating mutual respect instead of focusing on differences. Dovi showed me how to face challenges with grace and strive for continuous personal growth. The patience and kindness he displayed in every interaction serve as an example I aspire to follow. I hope for myself and for all of us to be worthy of his sacrifice and to honor his memory by striving to be better people, as Dovi was.”