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In addition to the existing pre-university programs Technion-Israel Institute of Technology has created a special pre-university program for ultra-orthodox Jews (haredim) to enable them to study in university and enter the workforce. Member of the Israeli Knesset (parliament), Rabbi Dov Lipman, Chair of the Knesset Lobby for Job Integration in the Haredi Community, is interviewed here discussing the challenges to Israel and the success of the Technion program.

In 18 months haredim who never studied science and English and have only learned rudimentary mathematics are brought up to speed and the majority are accepted to Technion. Graduates are now working as engineers in high tech companies and some are pursuing advanced degrees.

“This sector needs to make a paradigm shift toward productivity. We are providing the opportunity.”

Prof. Noah Galil

(l-r) Yehuda Morgenstern, Shuki Yakovian, and Aharon Deutsch

In a national effort to significantly increase the notoriously low workforce participation within Haredi (ultra-Orthodox Jewish) communities, the Council for Higher Education has called for proposals to provide this special population with customized, but not qualitatively different, higher education study platforms.

This sector, currently comprising around 10 percent of Israel’s population, is expanding fast. Large families are the norm, and many are below the poverty line. Toda, about 25 percent of first graders are ultra-Orthodox and their segregated schooling does not include the core curriculum required for the development of technological and scientific skills. Statistics released on September 1 indicate that in predominantly Haredi towns, such as Bnei Brak or Modi’in Illit, eligibility for high school matriculation (bagrut) stands at 10 percent and below.

“The hardest part of the whole degree was mastering fractions and the ABC.” – Aharon Deutsch

Technion has created a model, based upon its proven success with pre-university foundation courses (mechina). Separate classes enable the Haredi students to maintain their own cultural and behavioral norms. “There is a very strong potential with this Haredi population that can benefit Technion, society, and Israel’s economy.” says Prof. Arnon Bentur, Technion Vice President and Director General

Mooly Dotan, director of the Center for Pre-Academic Education, says that the initial “Halamish” program for Haredi students was launched some six years ago. Halamish – literally flint in Hebrew – is an acronym for “Haredim studying applicable professions.” Backed by Israeli businessman and philanthropist Eitan Wertheimer, this initiative sought to ignite Haredi productivity in the academically qualified workforce and supports these pioneering students financially, academically with enrichment classes and learning strategy, and lends emotional support.

“These students are unbelievably motivated,” says Dotan. “They know how to study, they are tremendously target-oriented, and they want to find well-paid jobs.”

Of those who started, 16 were accepted to Technion and are now completing their studies in civil and environmental engineering, industrial engineering and management, electrical engineering, and mechanical engineering. Some of this vanguard has already joined the workforce and several have continued to a second degree.

Sarah Katzir, head of the Beatrice Weston Unit for the Advancement of Students, a key player in the success of the program, meets these highly motivated students toward the end of the mechina. “Their biggest problem is their lack of English, and Technion gives them a big push to bring them up to standard,” she says. “There are no shortcuts, no discount for academic requirements and no lowering of standards for admission,” Katzir stresses.

David Shenkar, a graduate in Information Systems, is a new employee at MedaTech Information Technology Ltd. Shenkar said, “When I got my first pay slip from the company and saw that income tax had been deducted I was very happy. I know that most people wouldn’t be pleased about that, but I was simply delighted that I now made enough money to pay income tax!” He added, “I couldn’t have gotten a Technion degree without the help of my wife. A few times I wanted to quit, and she told me that I was to keep learning until they threw me out. I’m glad I listened to her.”

Lack of funding put this original Halamish program on hold, and it has now been reinvented with a new intake of 40 pre-mechina students who are studying on the Technion campus in the National School for Practical Engineers (Handessaim) building. Their tuition is paid for by the government, and Atidim, together with Technion, are providing a stipend.

Another new initiative involves a successful off-campus mechina at the Haredi College of Bnei Brak (Mivchar), an ultra-Orthodox stronghold near Tel Aviv. Some 18 graduates of this preparatory program, who have shown both the requisite aptitude and a phenomenal capacity for learning, are now studying for a BSc in Geo-information, under the auspices of Technion’s Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE). Graduates will seek employment with the Israel Mapping Center, which is facing a severe shortage of qualified personnel as hundreds of its employees approach retirement. “Each of these students will be a role model in their community,” states Bentur.

Why are Haredi students different from all other students?

After 25 years: 
German and American researchers were able to measure the geometric phase in solids. This phase was discovered 25 years ago by Professor Joshua Zak from the Technion and is named after him – the “Zak phase”

German and American scientists successfully measured the “Zak phase,” discovered by Professor Joshua Zak from the Technion 25 years ago. This finding was revealed in articles published in the prestigious scientific journals Nature Physics and Science.

In 1989, Professor Zak published an article in the scientific journal Physical Review Letters where he matched geometric phases to solids. In solid material there are energy bands and the electrons within them become accelerated when an electric field is applied upon them. In their motion they acquire a geometric phase (for example, the vertical angle positioning of a rope on a swing determines the phase of the swing). This phase which is acquired by the electrons was discovered by Professor Zak.

Geometric phases occur in many places in nature. One of the simplest examples is the Foucault pendulum: a tall pendulum free to swing in any vertical plane. Due to the earth’s rotation, the actual plane of swing rotates relative to the earth. It may be observed that every day the plane of rotation changes by a small “geometric” angle, associated to the spherical shape of the earth. A geometric phase in optics was discovered in 1956, by a famous Indian scientist, Shivaramakrishnan Pancharatnam. In quantum mechanics, there is a similar phenomenon which was discovered in 1984 by British physicist Sir Michael Berry who identified a geometric phase, which is now most commonly known as the “Berry phase.” Such quantum-mechanical phases can have a profound effect on material properties and are responsible for a variety of phenomena. Some examples are the dielectric polarization or the quantum Hall effect (used nowadays to define resistance standards).

Now, for the first time, scientists in the experimental group led by Professor Immanuel Bloch (from the Ludwig-Maximilians University, Munich and the Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics Garching, Germany) in close collaboration with theoretical physicists from Harvard University, led by Professor Eugene Demler, have succeeded in measuring topological phases in one-dimensional solid-state like systems (optical lattice). This is called a Zak-phase after Professor Joshua Zak from the Faculty of Physics at the Technion.

Two objects have a different topological structure if there is no continuous way to change one into the other without having to cut it or puncture it with holes; for example, a cup of tea with one hole in its handle is topologically equivalent to a bagel, whereas a bagel and a soccer ball are not. Moreover, one can characterize different topological structures according to their geometric constructions relating to the shape of the object. But what is the connection between these geometrical phases to the properties of a real material? “Atoms in material are arranged in a manner that creates a periodic structure, in which electrons are affected by electric ion forces. As a result, the electrons ‘move’ inside the material in energy bands, which play the role of objects in the examples presented above and thus acquire a geometric phase,” explains Marcos Atala, a senior PhD student in the experimental group led by Professor Immanuel Bloch.

In 1989, Professor Zak identified the geometrical phases in the band theory of one-dimensional solids. When a particle travels “slowly” along the energy band and completes a closed loop it acquires a geometrical phase that has significant physical consequences for the properties of materials, which can be determined by the “quantum geometry” of the crystal. Therefore the identification of the topological properties of an energy band is fundamental to the understanding its physical properties. According to Professor Bloch, this new measurement scheme establishes a new general approach for studying the topological structure in solids, and may lead to the discovery of quantum phase topologies material that has unique features which can be useful in practical applications.

“I was glad to hear that more than half a dozen researchers in the US and Germany collaborated together and were successful at measuring the phase I predicted,” commented Professor Zak. “It is very important for theorists predicting a phenomenon to have his/her theory measured in an experiment. And this measurement has transformed my theory into practice.”

When developing the Zak phase, Professor Zak used additional discoveries he made in 1967 (kq-representation). The kq-representation is a fundamental discovery in quantum mechanics also named after him – Zak Transform – which is in practice till today in signal processing. Tens of thousands of engineers employ it in their work.

Technion and École Polytechnique sign cooperation accord

 “The cooperation between the Polytechnique and the Technion is a landmark, and an example for all universities.”

President of France François Hollande.

• Technion Professor Alon Wolf Demonstrates Snake Robot for French President François Hollande. 
• President Hollande praises the cooperation between the Polytechnique and the Technion
• Prime Minister Netanyahu to Hollande: “Visit the Technion”

Photo by Kobi Gideon/GPO/Israel Kobi Gideon/GPO.
French President Hollande, Israeli President Peres & PM Netanyahu learn about the robotic snake developed at Technion

École Polytechnique and Technion – Israel Institute of Technology signed an agreement on 19th November 2013  for academic cooperation.

The strategic accord between the two renowned science and technology universities was signed by École Polytechnique President Jacques Biot and Technion President Prof. Peretz Lavie during Israel-France Innovation Day in Tel Aviv, attended by French President François Hollande, Israel President Shimon Peres, Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and hundreds of French and Israeli public figures, business people and entrepreneurs.

At the start of meeting, the three leaders attended an exhibit highlighting Israeli technological achievements. Chosen to represent Israeli academia was Technion’s Prof. Alon Wolf, who together with his chief research engineer Oded Solomon, demonstrated his search and rescue Snake Robot for Hollande, Peres and Netanyahu.

École Polytechnique and the Technion both pursue innovation and technology transfer as a key strategic priority, and seek to share their experience and practices in the fields of innovation and entrepreneurship, particularly with regards to their academic programs in innovation management and their business incubators for start-ups created by students and researchers.

In addition to this common vision, École Polytechnique and the Technion have already established numerous exchanges. For example, several Polytechnique investigators have undergone their research internships at Technion, particularly in electrical engineering and computer science, two of the Technion’s top fields of expertise.

President Hollande repeatedly praised the strategic cooperation between these two leading institutions, both in his speech in Tel Aviv and in his address to Israel’s Knesset in Jerusalem on Monday. “The cooperation between the Polytechnique and the Technion is a landmark, and an example for all universities,” he said.

Prime Minister Netanyahu encouraged Mr. Hollande to visit the Technion the next time he comes to Israel.

The agreement signed today between Technion and École Polytechnique will reinforce the ongoing academic ties between the two universities, facilitating cooperation, increasing educational opportunities, enriching their academic and research environments, and promoting international and intercultural understanding. In particular, the agreement provides a framework for hosting guest professors, student exchanges, and the development of research partnerships. A second accord, paving the way for a double degree program, outlines the conditions and specifications of the student exchange program: it concerns the exchange of Master’s level students for research internships and semesters abroad in the partner institution.

“École Polytechnique strengthens its international reach through the development of very high-level strategic partnerships with top institutions worldwide. Its goal is to create a network of first-rate partners in different regions of the world, and the Technion is among the target institutes for this international development policy,” comments Jacques Biot, President of École Polytechnique.

Technion President Prof. Peretz Lavie said that the agreement with École Polytechnique will add a new and important dimension to the Technion’s international relationships. He emphasized that “Israel and France have a long history of warm friendship and the language of science is a shared language that bridges cultures and peoples. I am convinced that École Polytechnique, an important French institution of international renown and reputation, will contribute a great deal to Technion. I hope that Technion, a world leader in the areas of science, engineering and medicine, will contribute to École Polytechnique, and that together we will contribute to all of humanity.”

About École Polytechnique

Largely internationalized (30% of the student body, 23% of faculty members), École Polytechnique combines research, education and innovation at the highest scientific and technological level. Its three graduate programs – Ingénieur Polytechnicien, Master’s and PhD – are highly selective and promote a culture of excellence with a strong emphasis on science, combined with humanist traditions.

École Polytechnique educates responsible men and women who are prepared to lead complex and innovative activities which will meet the challenges of 21st century society. With its 20 laboratories, all joint research facilities with the National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS), the École Polytechnique Research Center works to expand the frontiers of knowledge in the major interdisciplinary issues faced by science, technology and society.

As a ParisTech member institute, École Polytechnique is also one of the driving forces behind the Paris Saclay Campus project, along with its 22 academic and scientific partners.

http://www.polytechnique.edu

“Call it an exoskeleton or a bionic suit, but for paraplegics, it’s freedom. This innovative device, developed by a quadriplegic Israeli scientist, relies on sensors that anticipate shifts in the user’s balance and translates them into movements like walking and standing. Already available in Europe, the suit had its prime-time debut on an episode of Glee and is being reviewed by the FDA for use in the U.S.”

TIME Magazine has named the ReWalk as standing tall among the world’s top 25 inventions for 2013.

Developed by Argo Medical Technologies, the ReWalk is a commercial bionic walking assistance system that uses powered leg attachments to enable paraplegics to stand upright, walk, and climb stairs. The system is powered by a backpack battery, and is controlled by a simple wrist-mounted remote which detects and enhances the user’s movements. The device underwent clinical trials at MossRehab in suburban Philadelphia.

Technion brainchild

Technion alumnus Dr Amit Goffer is that “guy in Israel.” Goffer, a quadriplegic, explains, “In 1997 when I was injured and became confined to a wheelchair, I looked around and wondered, ‘How come the wheelchair is the only solution?’ I was just astonished by that. After studying the problems involved, I started to design the device at home.”

When Radi Kaiuf, a paraplegic for 21 years as a result of a war injury sustained during Israeli army service, met Goffer at a rehab center and heard about the device, he thought, “I would go to the ends of the earth for something that could help me stand up again.”

ReWalk enables a person who is paralyzed from the waist down and confined to a wheelchair, to stand up and walk. Kaiuf was skeptical at first. Would he really be able to stand up, look people in the eye, and walk? “A person in my condition can’t imagine that he will ever walk again. The first time I stood up and walked it was phenomenal.”

The user commands the system and controls when he wants to take a step, to stop, to stand, walk about at his own pace, climb stairs and drive. Goffer explains, “It shifts a person from wheelchair-user status to crutch-user status, which is the whole difference. It helps a paraplegic to regain his self-esteem and be included back into society.”

ReWalk has definite health benefits and will reduce healthcare costs. Kaiuf explains, “For our health we are supposed to stand for two hours a day. ReWalk has helped me in a number of ways: my internal organs are functioning better and I haven’t had any pressure sores.”

Goffer earned his Technion BSc in Electrical Engineering, then served in the army, completed his master’s and PhD degrees and worked as an engineer before founding Odin Medical Technologies in 1994 (Medtronic Navigation Israel), a company that makes intraoperative MRI systems.

Together with Goffer, Argo’s team includes other Technion grads in leading positions. Company Operations Manager, Itai Levinson, an Industrial Engineering and Management alumnus proudly explains, “We are developing and manufacturing the first commercially viable upright walking assistance tool. ReWalk is a combination of innovation on a multidisciplinary level, incorporating cutting-edge technology from mechanical and control engineering, electronics and computer science.”

Argo plans further development on ReWalk so that a quadriplegic, like Goffer, will also be able to use it. Goffer smiles and adds, “Developing medical devices requires education and experience; everything was based on the basic education that I received at the Technion – which is priceless.”

The arising of hope

The original ReWalk is available in two versions – the ReWalk I and the ReWalk P. The ReWalk I is intended for use by medical institutions for research or therapy, and is used under the supervision of a healthcare professional, such as a physical therapist. The ReWalk P is a personal unit, intended for personal use by patients at home or in public. The ReWalk system is priced at approximately US$85,000 per unit. An updated version of the system, dubbed ReWalk Rehabilitation 2.0, was unveiled in January 2013. The ReWalk 2.0 features improved sizing, allowing taller individuals to wear it more comfortably, and enhanced controlling software.

A World 1st – Exoskeleton marathon winners.

On 8 May 2012, paralyzed British woman Claire Lomas used a ReWalk to become the first person ever to finish a marathon using a bionic assistance suit. Lomas, who was paralyzed from the waist down in a 2007 riding accident, completed the London Marathon in 17 days with her ReWalk system. Later in 2012, Lomas became the first person to take the ReWalk suit home to assist her in everyday tasks.

The “Glee” of mobility

Over 13 million North Americans watched the Christmas episode of the popular Fox TV series Glee, when paraplegic student Artie stands up and walks with the help of an exoskeleton device he is wearing. Artie explains, “It’s called the ReWalk™, some guy in Israel invented it!”