Uncategorized - Technion - Israel Institute of Technology

Technion - Israel Institute of Technology > Uncategorized

The Technion community is profoundly shaken, mourning the devastating loss of lives; infants, children, seniors, women, and men, as well as entire families who were senselessly murdered in a recent act of terror targeting peaceful communities.

We also honor the valiant members of the security forces who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of their homes and loved ones.

The overwhelming sorrow and concern for the abducted, imprisoned, and missing weighs heavily on our hearts.

Our thoughts are steadfastly with our friends who have suffered unimaginable loss, as well as the families of those who have been abducted or injured. With heavy hearts, we extend our deepest condolences to them, and to the whole of Israel.

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Yoram Bar-Sinai z”l

Aged 75, from Kibbutz Be’eri

Graduate of the Faculty of Architecture and Town Planning

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Master Sergeant (Res.) Dov Moshe Kogan z”l

Aged 32, from Nov

Graduate student and TA at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering

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Captain (Res.) Yakov Nedlin z”l

Aged 36, from Or Akiva

Graduate of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering

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Dr. Hagit Rafaeli Mishkin z”l

Aged 48, from Hod Hasharon

Graduate of the Faculty of Education Science and Technology

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Major Dennis Krahmalov Wexler z”l

Aged 32, from Beer Sheva

He was a combat engineering officer in the Yahalom (Diamond) Unit who fell in battle in the Gaza Strip.

Dennis was about to begin his studies at the Technion at the Faculty of Aerospace Engineering

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Sergeant Major (Res). Eliran Yeger z”l

Aged 36, from Tel Aviv

Master’s student at the Faculty of Data and Decision Sciences

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The Technion – Israel Institute of Technology extends its deepest condolences to the following individuals:

Shahar Amar, student in the Wolfson Faculty of Chemical Engineering,

on the death of her father, Chief Superintendent Avi Amar z”l

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Stav Benjo, student in the Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering,

on the death of his sister, Staff Sergeant Omer Sarah Benjo z”l

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Assistant Professor Eilam Yalon, faculty member in the Andrew and Erna Viterbi

Faculty of Electrical and Computer Engineering, on the death of his niece, Lin Dafni z”l

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Galit Weizman, administrative staff member in the Schulich Faculty of Chemistry,

on the death of her cousin’s son, Sergeant Shalev Dagan z”l

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Nir Ekstein, student in the Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering,

on the death of his brother, Matan Ekstein z”l

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Prof. Emeritus Joseph Itzkovich, faculty member in the Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, on the death of his grandson, Sergeant First Class Adi Eldor z”l

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Noi Glass, a student in the Faculty of Aeronautics and Space Engineering

on the death of her cousin, Sergeant Yam Glass z"l

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Yuval Golan, student in the Faculty of Aerospace Engineering,

on the death of her cousin, Major Sagi Golan z”l

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Brothers, Bar Goren, student in the Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Engineering, and Assif Goren, student in the Faculty of Aerospace Engineering,

on the death of their parents, Avner and Maya Goren z”l

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Yonathan Haion, administrative staff member in the Development and Maintenance Division, on the death of his brother, Warrant Officer Sebastian Haion z”l

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Michal Keren, teaching coordinator in the Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine,

on the death of her cousin, Gaya Halifa z”l

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Merav Berkovich, graduate student in the Faculty of Architecture and Town Planning,

on the death of her father, Avraham Shraga Hasid z”l

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Omer Itach, student in the Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning

on the death of his brother, Captain Harel Itach z”l

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Assistant Professor Raz Palty, faculty member in the Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine,

on the death of his father-in-law, Avraham (Rami) Katzir z”l

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Assistant Professor Raz Palty, faculty member in the Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine,

on the death of his brother-in-law, Elad Katzir z”l

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Yotam Keren, student in the Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine,

on the death of his grandmother, Hannah Kritzman z”l

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Rafi Nave, lecturer in the Andrew and Erna Viterbi Faculty of Electrical and Computer Engineering and the Faculty of Data and Decision Sciences,

on the death of his son-in-law, Colonel Roi Levy z”l

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Dr. Tamar Katz Peled, teaching fellow in the Department of Humanities and Arts,

on the death of her son-in-law, Sergeant First Class Gilad Molcho z”l

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Maya Nimri, student in the Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine,

on the death of her cousin, Captain Eden Nimri z”l

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Amiram Enkave, administrative staff member in the Faculty of Education in Science and Technology,

on the death of his cousin, Eden Liz Ohion z”l

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Assistant Professor Ben Engelhard, faculty member in the Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine,

on the death of his brother-in-law Sergeant First Class (Res.) Yaacov Ozeri z”l

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Elad Tzur, student in the Faculty of Aerospace Engineering, 

on the death of his brother-in-law Major Shay Uriel Pizm z"l

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Tamar Itzhaki, student in the Faculty of Aerospace Engineering,

on the death of his uncle, Major (Res.) Uri Shimon Russo z”l

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Dvir Schwartz, graduate student in the Andrew and Erna Viterbi Faculty of Electrical and Computer Engineering,

on the death of his brother, Sergeant Segev Schwartz z”l

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Eyal Shachar, student in the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, on the death of his brother, Amir Shachar z”l

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Prof. Yemima Ben-Menahem, visiting professor in the Department of Humanities and Arts,

on the death of her grandson, Staff Sergeant Aner Elyakim Shapiro z”l

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Associate Prof. Ayelet Shavit, faculty member in the Department of Humanities and Arts,

on the death of her son, Staff Sergeant Tal Shavit z”l

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Professor Daniel Shushan of the Faculty of Architecture and Town Planning,

on the death of his nephew, Elisaf Shushan z”l

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Dr. Aliza Malek, lecturer in the Faculty of Mathematics and the Center for Promotion of Learning and Teaching,

on the death of her nephew, Eitan Refael Snir z”l

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Stav Alfasi, student in the Viterbi Faculty of Electrical and Computer Engineering,

on the death of her cousin, Ophir Tzarfati z”l

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Eyal Waldman, Technion honorary doctorate recipient, and Ella Waldman,

on the death of their daughter, Danielle Waldman z”l

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Noam Zyser, graduate student in the Grand Technion Energy program,

on the death of her brother, Major Ilay Zyser z”l

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May their memory be a blessing.

The Technion family offers its heartfelt sympathy to the families who have lost loved ones.

If there is an error on this page, or if you would like to share additional information with us, please contact Irit Gertzwolf at evpdg.officehead@technion.ac.il

The ceremony was attended by Technion President Prof. Uri Sivan, Dean of the Rappaport Faculty of Medicine Prof. Ami Aronheim, and Rappaport family representative Irith Rappaport, who has generously supported the faculty’s activities since its establishment. The ceremony included 81 female graduates and 55 male graduates, totaling 136 graduates. Twenty-six of them graduated with honors, five with special distinction, and 14 completed the prestigious MD/PhD program, which combines medicine and research and awards its graduates a dual degree: MD and PhD. The Senior Vice President of the Technion Prof. Oded Rabinovitch conferred the degrees on behalf of the Technion Senate. Prof. Moshe Fligelman was honored with reading the Hippocratic Oath.

Technion President Prof. Sivan told the new doctors and their families that “especially today, nine months after October 7 and the outbreak of the Swords of Iron War, amid the pain and chaos and uncertainty, I chose to talk about values. In our conduct over the past nine months, we did not lose our composure, and while many systems around us collapsed, we continued to function with inspiring adherence to the values of the Technion. We embraced those whose lives were halted on October 7 and during the war, hosted hundreds of evacuated families in the dormitories and the guesthouse on campus, and supported our 3,500 reservists, the community around us, and IDF units.” President Sivan also imparted some words of wisdom: “Remember not only the professional knowledge you have acquired, but also the values we have instilled in you, the compassion. Always remember them, especially when the sea is stormy, the mast is about to break, and it is tempting to choose easier paths.”

The 51st class of the Rappaport Faculty of Medicine

The Rappaport Faculty of Medicine is named after generous donors Ruth and Bruce Rappaport, who supported the faculty since its establishment. On behalf of the family, their daughter Irith Rappaport addressed the degree recipients, saying, “You are entering a world where your profession is not just a job but a mission, and it is important for me to highlight the importance of this mission, especially in light of the past year and the current Israeli reality. Talking about hope these days is not simple, but as someone who believes in the power of science and medicine to change society, I see in you the hope for a better future. Despite the difficulties, medicine has the ability to connect people, reduce gaps, and bridge disagreements. You, more than anyone, know that medicine is not just a science; it is also the art of compassion and listening. We live in a time when polarization and fear threaten to tear our society apart, and therefore your role is more important than ever, because only through compassion and acceptance of the other can we create healing here.”

Faculty Dean Prof. Aronheim told the graduates, “As medicine becomes more sophisticated and technological, your patients will always seek compassion, a smile, a word of encouragement, and a warm touch. They will want to see the truth in your eyes and will ask you to always leave room for hope, even if it comes after another 26-hour shift. The degree awarded to you today is a certificate of honor and appreciation for your completion of all the many tasks we set before you. You definitely deserve to pause for a moment, pat yourselves on the back, and say with satisfaction and pride – we did it!”

Dr. Noam Kedar with his father, Prof. Zohar Kedar

A Realistic Doctor

One of the graduates of the prestigious MD/PhD program is Dr. Noam Keidar, who graduated with special distinction. His father, Prof. Zohar Keidar, also a graduate of the faculty, is the deputy dean for clinical appointments in the faculty and the director of the Nuclear Medicine Institute at Rambam Medical Center. Prof. Keidar presented his son with the academic hood. Noam grew up in Haifa and studied in the gifted program at the Leo Baeck Education Center. During his undergraduate studies at the Faculty of Biomedical Engineering, he won first place in the final project competition when he developed a mobile application for predicting and diagnosing ventricular fibrillation. Later, Noam chose to enter the MD/PhD program, saying, “I wanted to be a doctor, but I didn’t want to give up the realistic side.” For his doctorate, supervised by Prof. Yael Yaniv, he expanded his research to other medical issues, including epilepsy attacks and childbirth complications, with the common denominator being prediction based on data analysis using AI. After October 7, like many other young people, Noam was called up for reserve duty, and after several months of service, he began his post-doctoral fellowship in Prof. Assaf Shuster’s research group at the Henry and Marilyn Taub Faculty of Computer Science. There, he works on predicting medical phenomena based on data analysis using AI. He said, “Over the years, I have gained extensive knowledge in medicine and no less in engineering. In my post-doctoral work, I continue to work on the interface between medicine and engineering, and I would like to continue working at this interface in the future, outside of academia.”

Dr. Maya Schiller and her parents, Professors Isaac and Jackie Schiller

Bridging Neuroscience and Immunology

Another graduate of the prestigious MD/PhD program is Dr. Maya Schiller, daughter of Professors Jackie and Yitzhak Schiller, faculty members at the Rappaport Faculty of Medicine. Maya was born in Jerusalem, studied at the Hebrew Reali School in Haifa, and is now married and a mother to a daughter. She did her doctorate under the supervision of Prof. Asya Rolls from the Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, and her research focused on the influence of the dopaminergic reward system in the brain on the immune system. The reward system is activated in positive emotional states and in anticipation of positive events, and Maya and her colleagues’ research showed that such states affect the immune system. Moreover, these studies, published in Nature Communications, Nature Medicine, and Nature Reviews Immunology, showed that intentional intervention in the reward system might lead to the inhibition of bacterial infections and even the reduction of tumor sizes. During her studies, Maya won numerous prestigious awards, including the Clore Prize, the Jacobs Prize, and the Rappaport Prize. She is now specializing in neurology at Sheba Medical Center and plans to combine immunology research and clinical work with patients in the future.

Dr. Omer Kerner at the ceremony

Fourth Generation in Medicine

Omer Kerner, a graduate of the 51st class, is a fourth-generation doctor. His father, Dr. Arthur Kerner, is a graduate of the Rappaport Faculty of Medicine at the Technion and the director of the Invasive Cardiology Unit at Rambam Medical Center. His uncle, Arthur’s identical twin brother, is Dr. Ram Kerner, an obstetrician-gynecologist. They are not just identical twins – they completed their medical studies a year apart and are both married to physiotherapists. Omer’s grandmother is Prof. Vicky Kerner, who was the head of the Pathology Institute at Rambam and a founder of the Rappaport Faculty of Medicine at the Technion, and their father was a dentist. Omer’s great-grandfather was the first generation of the family in medicine and served as a hospital director and surgeon in the city of Storozhynets in Ukraine; his wife was a dermatologist.

Research by the Technion has demonstrated that activation of the brain’s reward system could boost recovery from a heart attack. The research, which was conducted at the Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, was led by Ph.D. student Hedva Haykin under the supervision of Prof. Asya Rolls and Prof. Lior Gepstein.

The Technion research group focused on the reward system, a brain network activated in positive emotional states and motivation and evaluated its potential in improving recovery from acute myocardial infarction (AMI) (commonly known as a heart attack). In an article published by the researchers in Nature Cardiovascular Research, they demonstrate how in AMI in mice, the activation of this system significantly reduces the extent of the resulting infarct scarring and improves the clinical outcomes of the AMI. The research findings establish a causal connection between the reward system and recovery from AMI, introducing potential therapeutic avenues for intervention.

Histological staining of the myocardium 15 days following AMI. Fibrosis is stained blue, and myocardial cells are in red. Clearly, the control group (left) demonstrates a great extent of fibrosis, which occupies most of the left ventricle. This is compared to the treatment group (right), in which the reward system was activated daily, which shows a small amount of localized scar tissue.

It has long been known that emotional states are able to influence cardiac function. For example, in an extreme case known as “Broken Heart Syndrome,” acute stress is liable to trigger a condition that mimics a heart attack. Broken heart syndrome is a condition where some of the heart muscle weakens rapidly, but there is no evidence of blocked coronary arteries. Similarly, psychological processes have a known impact on recovery from a heart attack, and on cardiovascular disease in general. For instance, anxiety and depression can worsen the heart’s condition, whereas positive emotional states can improve it.

The physiological mechanisms at the foundation of the heart-brain connection are still unclear. Now, thanks to the collaboration between Profs. Rolls and Gepstein, there is good reason to hope that the research findings will lead to improvements in the treatment of heart disease.

Heart attacks occur when blood flow to the heart muscle (myocardium) is obstructed following partial or complete blockage of a coronary artery by blood clots. In the acute phase, this is liable to lead to a variety of severe symptoms, and even to life threatening arrhythmia (sudden cardiac arrest). In the chronic phase, prolonged deprivation of oxygen supply to the myocardium can lead to necrosis and post-necrotic myocardial scarring as part of an inflammatory reaction. This leads to a gradual decline in the heart’s ability to pump, to the point of developing a clinical condition known as heart failure. As mentioned, there is evidence that the emotional state can influence the course of disease and recovery following AMI, but until now, the underlying physiological mechanisms were not well understood. The Technion research reveals a novel mechanistic connection between the mental state and recovery outcomes from heart attack.

The reward system is largely activated by the release of dopamine in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) in the brain. Positive expectations and motivation stimulate neurons in the VTA. Studies in Prof. Rolls’ laboratory have shown that activation of VTA dopaminergic neurons modulates immune activity, partly through the regulation of the sympathetic nervous system. In the present study, active intervention in the VTA by the researchers following AMI resulted in favorable modulation of the immune response within the damaged myocardium, a reduction in myocardial fibrosis, an increase in blood vessel formation, and, as a result, an improvement in cardiac performance. The researchers found that these beneficial effects on the heart are mediated, at least in part, by the secretion of the protein, complement component C3, by the liver, which is also a member of the immune system.

There are presently numerous methods to actively (as opposed to naturally) stimulate the reward system, in humans as well. This effect is potentially achievable by available, non-invasive means, including pharmacological interventions, biofeedback, and focused ultrasound. Consequently, the Technion researchers’ scientific discovery could have meaningful future implications on the treatment of heart attacks.

Prof. Lior Gepstein

Prof. Lior Gepstein, Director of the Cardiology Department at the Rambam Health Care Campus and an academic staff member at the Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, is a world-renowned cardiac researcher. Among other subjects, his diverse research studies discuss the generation of heart tissue from human embryonic stem cells, cardiac arrythmias and their treatment, and the development of molecularly targeted therapies and cell transplantation in heart disease. His many achievements include the development of a biological pacemaker (Nature Biotechnology), cardiac tissue engineering (Nature Communications), development of optogenetic-based therapies for the treatment of cardiac disorders (Nature Biotechnology), and innovative models based on induced pluripotent stem cells for research and treatment of inherited heart conditions (Nature) and drug development.

Prof. Asya Rolls

Prof. Asya Rolls is a psychoneuroimmunologist and a leading researcher in psychosomatic effects, i.e., physiological mechanisms whereby emotions and thoughts affect physical health. In research published by Prof. Rolls in Nature Medicine in 2016, she demonstrated that intervention in the brain’s reward system strengthens immunological host defense, thus enhancing defenses against bacterial infections. In an article published in Nature Communications two years later (2018), Prof. Rolls showed that activation of the reward system attenuates tumor growth. In another article, published in 2021 in Cell, Prof. Rolls demonstrated the ability to “reactivate” colon inflammation (colitis) by influencing the brain alone.

Hedva Haykin

Hedva Haykin recently completed her doctoral studies under the joint supervision of Prof. Rolls and Prof. Gepstein in the framework of the Faculty of Medicine’s multidisciplinary program for outstanding students, while concurrently completing her MBA studies at the Technion. As mentioned, her present research was published in Nature Cardiovascular Research, and she was also recently awarded the Israel Heart Society’s J.J. Kellerman Young Investigator Award for 2024.

The present research was supported by the European Research Council (ERC), the Howard Hughes Medical Institutes (HHMI), the Wellcome Trust, Israel Science Foundation (ISF), and the Mirian and Sheldon G. Adelson Medical Research Foundation.

For the full article, click here: https://www.nature.com/articles/s44161-024-00491-3

This is the first year that higher education has been included in the Globes Brand Index. The index reveals that in response to the question of where to study, one in five Israelis recommends the Technion over any other academic institution. Additionally, the index shows that relevance to the labor market is the main criterion when choosing a university today.

Every year, Globes publishes the 100 leading brands in Israel, and this year it included institutions of higher education for the first time. The index is based on a particularly broad survey of 3,500 respondents, aged 18 and over, who constitute a representative sample of the Israeli population, including Haredi and Arab communities. The survey was conducted between April and May by the New Wave Institute, an external and independent research institute specializing in consumerism.

The Technion, which opened its doors 100 years ago, is among the top 100 universities in the world according to the prestigious Shanghai Index and among the top 10 technological universities globally. The Technion has gained a worldwide reputation for its pioneering work in many fields, including science, technology, medicine, education, and architecture. According to Technion President Prof. Uri Sivan, “The Technion reaching first place in the higher education category in the Brands Index is an important and exciting vote of confidence in our centennial year. For one hundred years, more than one hundred thousand graduates, and thousands of administrative and academic staff have fortified the security, economy, and society of the State of Israel and continue to shape its future out of a deep commitment and mission.”

For the full list, click here.

The three Technion faculty members who were selected are:

Prof. Oded Beja of the Faculty of Biology, whose field is metagenomics – an approach that analyzes organisms in their natural environment. This approach was developed in response to the fact that around 98% of all microorganisms can’t grow in laboratory cultures, certainly not in a manner that resembles the natural process. Ribosomal RNA analyses provide many insights, but not a complete understanding of the organism’s ecological function and its physiologic and biochemical properties. The approach used by Prof. Beja’s research group exposes this knowledge using metagenomics, making it possible to overcome this problem by analyzing the microbial genomes and detecting protein-coding genes and biochemical routes in cells. Using metagenomics, Prof. Beja discovered microbial rhodopsin proteins used for harvesting light energy.

Prof. Oded Beja

Prof. Benjamin Podbilewicz of the Faculty of Biology, who studies cell fusion mechanisms in fertilization and organ development. His pioneering work led to the discovery of two fusogens that cause cells to fuse: EFF-1 and AFF-1 in C. elegans. These proteins are necessary and sufficient to fuse cells during the development of organs. His group demonstrated that switching viral fusogens with EFF-1 or AFF-1 causes a viral infection. This was the first time it was shown that cellular fusogens can replace viral fusogens. The group solved EFF-1’s atomic structure and discovered a structural similarity to viral fusogens; this was the first structure that has been solved for cellular fusogens. Together with Pablo Aguilar, Podbilewicz predicted that a plant protein (GCS1/HAP2) structurally resembles EFF-1 and proved its activity. They defined a super-family of fusogens from animals, plants, protists and viruses known as fusexins. His lab found that EFF-1 and AFF-1 maintain and repair the tree-like structure of neurons and showed how dendritic branches age and ways to rejuvenate them. He also studied the first mammalian sperm fusogen with Tetsuya Higashiyama, and new fusexins in Archaea with an international consortium.

Prof. Benjamin Podbilewicz

Prof. Asya Rolls of the Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine studies psychosomatic interactions – specifically, how the brain influences the immune system and its ability to cope with diseases. Her work demonstrated that the reward mechanism in the brain, which is connected to motivation and hope, increases the immune system’s activity, thereby boosting the defense against viral infections (the research was published in 2016 in the journal Nature Medicine). In a different study (published in Nature Communications in 2018), she showed that similar brain interventions lead to a dramatic reduction in the size of cancerous tumors, mediated by the immune system. In an additional article from 2021, published in Cell, Prof. Rolls demonstrated a difference aspect of the connection between the brain and the immune system by showing that the brain preserves “memories” of past diseases, and is capable of reproducing these diseases by activating those memories. These findings have dramatic ramifications on understanding the placebo and nocebo effects, as well as the outbreak of diseases following certain emotional experiences.

Prof. Asya Rolls

EMBO is an international organization whose members are scientists from 30 countries. 92 Nobel Prize laureates are now, or were in the past, members of the organization. Its main goals are to support talented researchers at all phases of their careers, promote the sharing of scientific knowledge and help create a rich research environment that enables researchers to make the most of their abilities. The new young scientists who join the four-year program, during which they receive financial support from the organization, enjoy important professional connections, mentorship of senior researchers from the EMBO community, leadership training, and access to the research facilities at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory in Heidelberg, Germany. The organization, which was founded in July 1964, is currently celebrating its 60th anniversary. The new cohort includes nine Israeli researchers.

Click here for the New EMBO Members 2024 list Outstanding scientists elected to EMBO Membership – Press releases – EMBO

Technion President Prof. Uri Sivan awarded the prestigious Technion Alumni Medal to Dr. Sharon Alroy-Preis, head of public health services at the Israeli Ministry of Health and a distinguished graduate of the Rappaport Faculty of Medicine. The medal was awarded to her “in recognition of her influential work for public health in Israel; in appreciation of her vital role in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic; and in gratitude for being a role model for Technion students and alumni through her exceptional achievements in the field of medicine.”

President of the Technion, Prof. Uri Sivan, noted that “Dr. Alroy-Preis is a model and inspiration for us. In her character, in her professional and managerial capabilities, she embodies the spirit of the Technion, which combines research, innovation, entrepreneurship, leadership, and scientific excellence with social mission. Dr. Alroy-Preis’ contribution to public health in Israel was particularly prominent during the COVID-19 pandemic, where she led the fight against the pandemic and significantly influenced global pandemic response efforts. On behalf of the Technion and the entire Israeli society, I wish to thank you, Dr. Alroy-Preis, for your immense work for public health.”

Dr. Alroy-Preis, head of public health services at the Israeli Ministry of Health, is the senior professional leading the ministry’s policy on various issues, including the outbreak of infectious diseases, health promotion, and business licensing. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she led the fight in Israel based on scientific knowledge and top experts, led the vaccination campaign starting in the third wave, and was involved in research and discussions clarifying the need for a booster dose following the decline in vaccine efficacy.

Dr. Alroy-Preis is an expert in internal medicine, public health, and preventive medicine. She completed her internship at Rambam Health Care Campus and her residencies at Carmel Medical Center and Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center. Dr. Alroy-Preis was formerly the Chief Epidemiologist of the state of New Hampshire and served as Deputy Director of the Carmel Medical Center. She holds an MBA from Tel Aviv University.

The Technion Alumni Medal is awarded to alumni who have achieved exceptional accomplishments in science, medicine, engineering, technology, and architecture; who have made significant contributions to advancing the economy, industry, and education; and who have demonstrated impressive leadership and exceptional commitment reflected in public activities for the Technion. Past recipients of the Alumni Medal include Dadi Perlmutter (2018), Avi Nathan (2019), Guido Pardo Roques (2019), Aharon Aharon (2023), and Johny Srouji (2023).

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Update from Technion

Monday, 15 April 2024, 18:00

Shalom,

In line with the latest directives from the Home Front Command and the lifting of restrictions on Israel’s education system, work, research, educational activities, and exams at Technion campuses will resume as normal tomorrow.

Instructions regarding examinations originally scheduled for Sunday and Monday, April 14-15, 2024, as well as solutions for schedule conflicts of exams, have been issued by the School of Undergraduate Studies.

We wish you success in your upcoming exams and hope for a peaceful week ahead.

Technion Update: Schedule Changes and Safety Measures

Date: Sunday, April 14, 2024, 19:45

Dear Technion Community,

In light of the recent directives from the Home Front Command, effective through Monday, April 15, 2024, at 23:00, we are issuing the following important updates:

Examination Schedule: All exams scheduled for Monday, April 15, have also been postponed.

Exams originally set for today, Sunday, April 14, are rescheduled for Wednesday, April 17, 2024, at 5:00 PM.

Exams that were to be held on Monday, April 15, will now take place on Thursday, April 18, 2024, at 5:00 PM.

Updated room assignments will be available on the student portal tomorrow. Please note that certain subjects may have different rescheduled dates; those affected will receive direct notifications. Additionally, the Undergraduate Studies Office will provide alternative dates for any overlapping exams.

Campus Operations:

Both Technion and TRDF staff at all campuses will work as usual tomorrow. Parents with children up to 14 years old may choose to work remotely. Managers are expected to accommodate this, and demonstrate flexibility in addressing the needs of their teams.

Support Services:

The Dean of Students’ office is accessible 24/7 for student concerns. Students can reach the Center for Counseling and Support via phone at 077-8874112 or email at counseling-director@technion.ac.il during regular business hours. For immediate assistance, message us on WhatsApp at https://wa.me/message/MTWCFMOC3YN7B1.

The Human Resources Department is also available for urgent inquiries from administrative and academic staff at any time via WhatsApp at 053-5466258.

Safety Precautions:

Please familiarize yourself with the locations of shelters and secure rooms on campus. Remain prepared by reviewing emergency procedures. Links to the list of shelters and an instructional video on emergency behavior are provided for your convenience:

Shelters and secure rooms: https://bit.ly/46HtZmi.

Emergency behavior video: https://bit.ly/3rJjDmR.

Stay safe and well-informed.

Approximately 5,000 potential students had arrived by midmorning at the Technion’s open day, with many more expected at the faculty reception area situated at the Churchill Auditorium Plaza. In the reception area, the various Technion faculties presented diverse study programs for undergraduate degrees in engineering and science, medicine, education, architecture, and urban planning. The open day included tours of the faculties and laboratories, lectures by Technion researchers, and an alumni panel.

Technion Open Day

This year saw a significant increase in the number of attendees. The Technion announced that participants in the event would receive a 50% discount on registration fees. A dedicated counseling station for reservists and their families provided information about the academic benefits that the Technion has established since the war to assist student reservists and make it easier for them to integrate into academic life. The station was operated by the Undergraduate Admissions Department.

Technion Open Day

The Dean of Student’s Office, which is responsible for assisting all Technion students with accommodation, scholarships, and welfare activities, also operated a special station. During this period, the Dean of Student’s Office has increased its activities in support of student reservists, and the Technion leads among Israeli academic institutions in the variety and scope of academic benefits, financial assistance, and emotional support provided to student reservists.

An alumni panel titled ‘The Technion gave me more,’ was held, where Technion alumni discussed how their studies at the Technion opened different career paths for them.

More than 500 students, faculty members, administrative staff, graduates, and guests participated today in the 8th Technion Race. The race took place in collaboration with the Technion administration, the Technion Student Association, and the Technion Sports Association. It opened with a minute of silence in memory of the fallen of operation “Swords of Iron” and with hope for the swift release of the hostages held by Hamas.

The race was started by the president of the Technion, Prof. Uri Sivan, and the vice chairperson of the Technion Student Association, Alis Kalman. The president stated that “in recent months, we have received clear evidence of our resilience as a community committed to mutual support, as students led by our Student Union, staff, and faculty have volunteered for a huge variety of activities for the benefit of the community and the country. The Technion Race is another opportunity for all of us to be together as one community. Good luck to everyone.”

Technion president Prof. Uri Sivan, and the vice chairperson of the TSA, Alis Kalman

Nitzan Yissar, coach of the Technion’s orienteering team and Israeli champion in orienteering, won overall first place with a time of 17:47:20. In the women’s category, Amal Hihy, a first-year student in the Taub Faculty of Computer Science won with a time of 21:27:01. Hihy, who lives in Hoshaya, dedicated her running career to the memory of her father, Faiz, who was killed before her birth. Years ago, in her first competitive race she won first place. She then joined the “Adrenaline” running group and now runs as part of the Maccabi Haifa team.

At the end of the race, medals were awarded by category, and in a lottery held among all participants. Amitai Ginsburg, a student in the Faculties of Materials Science and Physics received a prize of 1,000 shekels. Vice chairperson of the Technion Student Association, Alis Kalman, said: “Sport is something that unites us all – it has no color or gender – and it makes us all feel good.”

8th Technion Race