BGU | PRESIDENT'S REPORT 2026

PRESIDENT'S 2026

REPORT

04 From the President

PRESIDENT'S 2026

05 From the Chairman 06 From Vision to Action:

REPORT

Prisma Negev and the Next Chapter in Regional Renewal 10 Introducing the Stein Faculty of Computer and Information Science

May 2026, Iyar 5786 Produced by the Department of Publications and Media Relations Osnat Eitan , Director Division for Public Affairs and Resource Development Jeff Kaye , Vice President Editor: Elana Chipman Editorial Staff: Hilla Shenhav , Jeremy Maissel, Ehud Zion Waldoks, Sagi Felendler Production: Noa Fisherman Photos: Dani Machlis Design: Orit Elzner

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14 NOTEWORTHY NEWS 25 REPORTS 26 Prof. Chaim Hames Rector 30 Tal Ben-Haim Director-General & VP

45 Prof. Michal Bar-Asher Siegal VP for Global Engagement 48 Prof. Sarab Abu-Rabia Queder VP for Diversity & Inclusion 36 Prof. Dan Blumberg VP for Regional & Industrial Development 41 Prof. Raz Jelinek VP and Dean for Research & Development

52 Jeff Kaye, VP for Public Affairs & Resource Development

60 New Faculty Members 62 Donor Recognition 66 Board of Governors 70 Associates Organizations

56 BGU IN FACTS AND FIGURES 57 Senior Administration 58 BGU in Numbers

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BEN-GURION UNIVERSITY OF THE NEGEV

From the PRESIDENT

change. We're creating learning environments where AI is a tool that reveals rather than replaces the unique value of human thinking. This enables stronger research and more effective teaching, while emphasizing the human and communal aspects of the BGU experience that no algorithm can replicate. Negev-Anchored Impact. We are evolving to achieve symbiotic excellence, with world-class scholarship emerging through engagement with regional challenges. Our research on desert agriculture, water security, and multicultural social dynamics both becomes globally competitive and leads to immediate community transformation. The recently launched Prisma Negev initiative exemplifies this approach, creating partnerships with more than 40 local governments and community organizations. This provides authentic contexts for discovery and learning while serving national priorities, demonstrating that academic excellence and regional engagement enhance rather than compete with each other. Entrepreneurial Agency. We are embedding entrepreneurial thinking as institutional DNA rather than specialized programming. Building on the proven success of Yazamut 360°, we are cultivating the capacity to identify meaningful problems, marshal resources, and build solutions across our entire community. Every student develops these capabilities. Every faculty member has paths from research discovery to real-world implementation. Every administrator cultivates experimental approaches to institutional challenges. This entrepreneurial agency cultivates the mindset and skills needed to translate knowledge into action. We continue to realize David Ben-Gurion's vision of a great university that combines academic excellence with transformative social impact. We are not choosing between research excellence and regional engagement. Instead, we are proof that these goals enhance each other when pursued with wisdom, commitment, and strategic focus. We are not just a university that prepares students for the future; we empower them to shape it: grounded in excellence, connected to purpose, and committed to the flourishing of all our communities. With gratitude for your partnership in this defining chapter,

Dear Friends of Ben-Gurion University, As I stand for reelection to a third and final term as President, I find myself reflecting less on what we have accomplished, though that story is remarkable, and more on what we must now build. This final term is both a privilege and a responsibility. It offers the opportunity to transform vision into permanent institutional architecture that will serve BGU long after my presidency concludes. BGU was conceived through a daring vision: planting a world class research university in a sparsely populated periphery. This wasn't about establishing yet another university. It was about demonstrating that great institutions don't emerge from ideal conditions, they create them; that knowledge and human potential can transform a geographic periphery into a center of possibility; that a world-class research university can be both the engine and beneficiary of regional transformation. Our first strategic plan, BGU Beyond 50 , transformed BGU's trajectory, a trajectory maintained across all key performance indicators. Today, as we move into Strategy 2.0, we return to Ben-Gurion's founding insight by institutionalizing it. Where our first plan built reputation, our second builds permanent capacity. Where the first demonstrated what's possible, we now aim to make it inevitable. This transition has taken place alongside ongoing geopolitical disruption that has, most recently, forced a delay to the start of our spring semester and the postponement of our Board of Governors meeting, underscoring both the challenges we face and the resilience of our community. Strategy 2.0 positions BGU as a "Fifth Wave University," an institution that transcends traditional boundaries between academic excellence and societal impact. While maintaining our commitment to the highest standards of scholarship and discovery, we recognize that today's challenges require universities that actively engage with their communities and regions. This vision spans three integrated dimensions. The AI-Resilient University. In an age when machines can process infinite information instantly, we are embedding into our institutional culture an emphasis on what makes us irreplaceable: wisdom, judgment, ethical reasoning, and the capacity to place knowledge in human context. We're not resisting technological

Prof. Daniel Chamovitz

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PRESIDENT'S REPORT 2026

From the CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS

connection to our mission firsthand. I am proud to welcome them into our extended family and look forward to engaging with them at our upcoming Board meeting in October. The Board of Governors will convene under the theme “Our Roots Define the Path Forward.” Although BGU is still a relatively young institution, its philanthropic roots are deep and enduring. We remain forever indebted to the devoted supporters whose vision and generosity helped build our campuses in Beer-Sheva, Sde Boker, and Eilat, and transformed BGU into the research powerhouse it is today. As a new chapter unfolds and the North Campus takes shape before our eyes, I wish to thank the new generation of supporters whose contributions, from scholarships and programs to laboratories, I extend special thanks to our global leadership, including both those who have stood beside us for decades and those who have joined us more recently, for their invaluable perspectives and strategic guidance through the Officers Forum, which advises the University at the broad, strategic level. I also wish to thank the many members of the Board who contribute their time and expertise through participation in BOG committees. Your engagement provides essential oversight and support across the University’s work. The Board is proud to partner in the University’s newest initiative, Prisma Negev, a broad cross-sector effort that leverages BGU’s strengths in collaboration with local government and industry to create a critical mass of excellence and innovation in the region. I am proud and honored to lead the Board of Governors during this pivotal period and urge all our friends and supporters to continue sharing this mission. I look forward to seeing everyone in October. Your insight, expertise, and dedication remain among our greatest assets as we work together to define the path forward. With hope for continued quiet, lecture halls, and entire buildings, reflect a profound commitment to the Negev and the State of Israel.

Dear Friends and Members of the Board of Governors, As I write this message, life in Beer-Sheva is gradually returning to a semblance of normalcy after a very challenging time for Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, the Jewish people worldwide, and the global community. The University experienced the direct impact of Iranian missile strikes on campus in June 2025 and the ongoing burden of extended reserve duty continues to be carried by many of our students, faculty, and staff. While these disruptions are felt deeply across our community, I would also like to express my relief and gratitude that the final hostages held in Gaza have returned home, even as we remember and honor those we have lost. Their absence, and their return, has been profoundly felt across our community. Abroad, shifting geopolitics and a troubling rise in antisemitism have further underscored this moment. And yet, despite these challenges, we have emerged stronger: more determined, more united, and more convinced than ever of BGU’s essential role in shaping the future of the Negev and contributing to a better world. I am deeply grateful to our friends and supporters around the globe who rallied in support of our mission. Your response to the emergency fundraising campaign launched in the wake of the missile strikes was truly heartening and made an immediate, meaningful difference. Thousands of student reservists received grants that eased their financial stress, and we were able to immediately begin repairs while planning to build back better. This year also marked continued growth for the BGU family. New members from around the world joined our Board of Governors, and a new associate organization was established in Germany. I warmly welcome our new partners, whose experience, commitment, and connection will enrich our shared work, and look forward to the collaboration ahead. We are equally committed to fostering the next generation of lay leadership. The Zin Fellows and Halutz programs once again brought together two exceptional groups of young leaders, offering them a deeper understanding of BGU and its impact. It is always heartening to see their energy and

Lloyd Goldman Chairman of the Board of Governors

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BEN-GURION UNIVERSITY OF THE NEGEV

FROM VISION TO ACTION: PRISMA NEGEV AND THE NEXT CHAPTER IN REGIONAL RENEWAL One year ago, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev reaffirmed its commitment to a founding principle: academic excellence and regional responsibility are inseparable. The University committed not only to stand with the Negev, but also to help shape its recovery and long-term renewal. In January 2026, that commitment took concrete form with the official launch of Prisma Negev , a strategic center for innovation and regional cooperation designed to translate vision into coordinated action. What began as a response to immediate challenges has evolved into a forward-looking, structured platform that brings together local government, industry, civil society, and academia around a shared agenda for sustainable growth. Since its founding, the University has served as an engine for regional transformation. Prisma Negev gives renewed, institutional expression to this legacy, positioning BGU as a catalyst for inclusive and sustainable development. Building on the University’s already substantial economic impact – NIS 3.5 billion annually, with a return of 1:2.26 on regional investment – the initiative seeks to amplify these effects through targeted cross-sector collaboration. Reflecting the “Fifth Wave” model of higher education, Prisma Negev integrates academic excellence with direct societal and economic impact, aligning academia, government, and industry into a coordinated regional ecosystem and replacing fragmented approaches with coordinated strategy and action.

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PRESIDENT'S REPORT 2026

LEADERSHIP AND STRUCTURE The initiative is coordinated through the President’s Negev Strategy Office and led by Prof. Miki Malul, a Negev native and former Dean of the Guilford Glazer Faculty of Business and Management, whose academic expertise anchors the initiative’s direction. Strategic guidance is provided by the Board of Governors’ Influence on the Negev Committee , co-chaired by Board members Joel Reinstein and Esteban Socolsky. The committee works closely with Prof. Malul and the initiative’s leadership to refine priorities, strengthen partnerships, and help mobilize the resources necessary to advance the University’s regional mission. Operationally, Prisma Negev has two complementary arms: an applied arm and a research arm. The applied arm, working out of the Rothschild Cube — which has been repurposed as the Prisma Negev Incubator — advances regional forums, pilot programs, professional training, and innovation labs that bring together researchers, students, practitioners, and community leaders. These efforts are designed to generate scalable models that can expand from local pilots to broader regional and national implementation.

The research arm, led by Prof. Michal Krumer-Nevo of the Charlotte B. and Jack J. Spitzer Department of Social Work, provides the analytical foundation for these efforts through applied research, evaluation frameworks, and data tools that support evidence-based policymaking. By integrating research with implementation, Prisma Negev strengthens decision-making across municipalities, industries, and social organizations. Together, these elements position Prisma Negev as both a convening platform and a driver of measurable regional impact. A SHARED VISION GROUNDED IN KNOWLEDGE At the heart of Prisma Negev is a commitment to informed, collaborative action. A dynamic "Negev Challenges and Opportunities Map," based on direct input gathered from regional leaders, provides a shared foundation for decision-making. The map identifies key assets, growth potential, and systemic challenges, enabling stakeholders to collectively set priorities, align investments, and measure progress. By grounding planning in both data and local insight, Prisma Negev shifts the focus from short-term problem solving to proactive, long-term strategic planning.

BGU’S ANNUAL ECONOMIC IMPACT ON THE NEGEV (NIS MILLIONS)

INDIRECT IMPACT

Regional collaborations 57

Advanced Technologies Park (Employment & income) 260

DIRECT IMPACT

Sde Boker & Eilat campuses 115

Employment (wages) 1080 Purchasing & operations 525

Student spending (rent & living expenses) 990

Local suppliers and services 225

Infrastructure 150

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BEN-GURION UNIVERSITY OF THE NEGEV

One early milestone demonstrating the potential of this model was the Smart Industry Summit for Technological Employment in the Negev, held in March 2026 and reflecting its broader goal: strengthening the southern industrial ecosystem by connecting knowledge, talent, and opportunity. AN INTEGRATED VISION FOR REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Prisma Negev advances a comprehensive approach to regional development through interconnected focus areas spanning economic development, education, employment, social innovation, health and community wellbeing, community resilience, technology and society, and tourism. The initiative brings these domains together within a unified strategic framework. Economic growth is linked to education and workforce readiness; social resilience is tied to public health and civic capacity; and technological advancement is integrated thoughtfully into social systems. This integrated approach reflects a broader understanding: sustainable regional development depends on how well systems work together towards shared goals. Ben-Gurion University translates vision into action through partnerships, platforms, and measurable progress. FROM COLLABORATION TO IMPACT A central mechanism for implementation is Prisma Negev’s network of strategic regional forums, which bring together municipal leaders, researchers, industry representatives, and public-sector professionals. These forums support joint problem-solving, help define regional priorities, and advance coordinated initiatives in areas such as education, employment, welfare, and innovation. Among these, the Education Forum is the most developed thus far. Forum members – municipal education leaders and university researchers – work side by side to identify systemic challenges and translate academic knowledge into actionable solutions that can strengthen educational systems across the Negev.

INVESTING IN THE NEXT GENERATION The long-term success of the Negev depends on its people. Thus, the strategic forums are complemented by a range of targeted programs that invest in the human capital and community leadership of the future. The Youth Financial & Innovation Empowerment Program , for example, is a pilot initiative for ninth-grade students in Dimona that integrates financial literacy, personal development, and innovative thinking. The program combines experiential learning with teamwork to build skills in entrepreneurship and problem-solving, and also encourages students to view higher education as an attainable path. The Teenovation program empowers high school students, primarily from Beer-Sheva, with innovation skills, entrepreneurial thinking, and practical problem solving through hands-on, project-based learning. The program includes weekly workshops, team-based work on real community challenges, mentorship from

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PRESIDENT'S REPORT 2026

and focusing on entrepreneurship, teamwork, and personal project development. Together, these youth-focused initiatives highlight the University’s central role in developing educational frameworks, promoting cross-cultural collaboration, and strengthening social cohesion and opportunity in the Negev. The Community Leadership Training Program engages soldiers relocating to the Negev as part of the IDF’s move to the south. Through workshops and team activities, participants develop leadership skills and connect with the social landscape of the region, while building ties with the University and local partners to support active community involvement. BGU’s students and researchers are the heart of Prisma Negev’s work. They are involved in innovation labs, applied research, and regional partnerships. This integration creates a reinforcing cycle: as the regional ecosystem grows stronger, it attracts talent committed to contributing to its future, while locally developed leadership deepens the foundation for long term resilience. Prisma Negev, thus, not only advances projects, but cultivates the intellectual, civic, and entrepreneurial capacity that will sustain them in the long-term. LOOKING AHEAD: A FRAMEWORK FOR LASTING IMPACT The Negev has often been described as peripheral, yet its importance to Israel’s future – economically, socially, and strategically – is profound. Strengthening the Negev strengthens the country as a whole. Prisma Negev reflects a shift from aspiration to infrastructure: from isolated initiatives to a coordinated, long-term strategy for regional development. It signals confidence in the Negev’s potential and a commitment to its future. Ben-Gurion University is translating vision into action, through partnerships, platforms, and measurable progress. The foundation has been laid. Much work lies ahead: we must deepen, expand, and sustain this momentum, advancing a shared vision of resilience, innovation, and opportunity for the Negev and for Israel as a whole.

industry and academia, and exposure to regional innovation centers. The University plays a key role by providing academic guidance, connecting participants to its resources and role models, and strengthening the pipeline of future students engaged in regional innovation. The Wadi Attir: Bedouin Youth Empowerment Initiative aims to expand opportunities for Bedouin youth in the Negev by fostering leadership, personal development, and innovation-oriented learning, while creating meaningful and sustained shared-society engagement between Jewish and Arab students. Addressing significant gaps in access to structured empowerment programs and authentic cross-community collaboration, the program positions Wadi Attir – already a thriving eco farm and Bedouin social and cultural education center – as a regional hub for community-based development and partnership. The first stage will launch in Hura, bringing together Jewish and Arab university students as mentors for Bedouin teens,

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BEN-GURION UNIVERSITY OF THE NEGEV

INTRODUCING THE STEIN FACULTY OF COMPUTER AND INFORMATION SCIENCE: ISRAEL’S LARGEST AI RESEARCH CENTER

BY UNITING OVER 70 RESEARCHERS UNDER ONE FACULTY, BGU IS SCALING ITS EXPERTISE, ADVANCING INTERDISCIPLINARY WORK, AND POSITIONING ITSELF AS A KEY PLAYER IN GLOBAL TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION.

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PRESIDENT'S REPORT 2026

On Ben-Gurion Day, November 26, 2025, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev officially established the Stein Faculty of Computer and Information Science, a major milestone designed to create a critical mass of expertise, scale research capacity, and deepen collaboration with industry. Launched at the start of the 2025–26 academic year, the new Faculty brings together two powerhouse departments – Computer Science and Information Systems Engineering, as well as programs in Software Engineering and Artificial Intelligence – under one integrated academic home. The unified platform will accelerate discovery, expand talent development, and strengthen the Negev’s thriving innovation ecosystem. “Creating the Stein Faculty of Computer and Information Science places Ben-Gurion University at the forefront of the global technological revolution. We are not just creating a new faculty; we are building a laboratory for the future, a world-class center of excellence that will shape the next generation of Israeli technology leaders,” said BGU President, Prof. Daniel Chamovitz. “This is a defining moment for the University, for the Negev, and for the technological future of the State of Israel.” “We didn’t just create a new faculty; we are building a laboratory for the future.” The Stein Faculty builds on BGU’s proven national impact. The University is a widely recognized leader in engineering education, graduating approximately one third of Israel’s engineers each year, while playing a central role in the country’s cybersecurity and artificial intelligence sectors. Through hubs such as Cyber@BGU, the University has long connected academic excellence to real-world needs, working closely with leading global corporations such as Deutsche Telekom and government agencies such as the Israel National Cyber Directorate. By consolidating separate academic units into a single faculty structure, BGU has strengthened its ability to scale that influence and expand opportunities for students and researchers alike. The Stein Faculty brings together 75 academic faculty members, about half of them specializing in AI, and as of the 2025-26 academic year, serves more than 2,700 students across undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral programs. For students, the new structure significantly expands choice

(L-R): Rector Prof. Chaim Hames, Dean Prof. Matya Katz, David Stein of the Schulich Foundation, and President Prof. Daniel Chamovitz, at the inauguration of the Stein Faculty of Computer and Information Science. Nov. 2025.

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BEN-GURION UNIVERSITY OF THE NEGEV

and flexibility: it is easier to pursue interdisciplinary study, combine expertise across fields, and tailor their academic pathways to the rapidly evolving hi-tech sector. The Faculty's launch reinforces the Negev’s growing pull as a center for innovation, as reflected in new and expanded collaborations with industry. Among the clearest signals: NVIDIA’s announcement that it will expand its research facilities in the Advanced Technologies Park (ATP) adjacent to the University and recent new partnerships in AI and cybersecurity research signed with Google and Boeing. Together, these developments reflect a broader shift: the concentration of advanced research and talent in and around the University is strengthening the ecosystem growth that attracts major players, deepens collaboration, and attracts sustained investment. A major pillar of the Stein Faculty is its ambition to expand both the pace and scope of discovery. As the boundaries between traditional academic departments dissolve, research takes place in five interdisciplinary institutes, creating what is now Israel’s largest artificial intelligence research center. Recognizing that today’s most significant scientific breakthroughs emerge at the

intersection of disciplines, this fosters an environment in which researchers can move fluidly between theory and application. This gift is helping recruit new researchers, expand research capacity, increase student scholarships, and deepen international collaborations. “The institute model allows researchers to align with their scientific direction while maintaining the freedom to shift as their work evolves,” explains Prof. Matya Katz, the Faculty’s inaugural dean and an expert in computational geometry and geometric optimization. “This structure is designed to strengthen collaboration while allowing researchers the agility to pursue emerging fields and adapt as technology evolves.” The creation of the Stein Faculty was made possible through a significant gift from The Schulich Foundation, honoring David Stein, a technology entrepreneur and

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PRESIDENT'S REPORT 2026

5 RESEARCH INSTITUTES • Institute for the Theory of Computing

75 SENIOR ACADEMIC FACULTY MEMBERS 625 GRADUATE STUDENTS (MSC AND PHD) 2,180 UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS (BSC) • Institute for the Foundations of AI • Institute for Applied AI Research • Institute for Interdisciplinary Computational Science • Institute for Software, Systems and Security (S³) 4 UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS • Computer Science • Information Systems Engineering • Data Engineering • Software Engineering

venture capital investor, for his longstanding leadership and contributions. Established by Seymour Schulich and based in Toronto, the foundation champions access to STEM education in Israel and Canada, awarding more than 6,000 scholarships annually. The Schulich Leaders Scholarship Program, which supports outstanding Israeli undergraduates pursuing STEM studies, has had a substantial impact across the country. This gift is fueling growth on multiple fronts: helping the faculty recruit new researchers, expand research capacity, increase the number of student scholarships, and deepen international collaborations. In a field where talent, scale, and global partnerships matter, this support strengthens BGU’s ability to compete, lead, and innovate. By building critical mass in computing and AI, expanding research infrastructure, and amplifying existing partnerships, the Stein Faculty of Computer and Information Science strengthens both the University and the innovation ecosystem around it. The vision is clear: Israel’s technological future depends not only on excellence, but also on achieving the necessary scale – bringing together people, expertise, and opportunities in ways that generate lasting momentum.

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BEN-GURION UNIVERSITY OF THE NEGEV

NOTEWORTHY NEWS

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PRESIDENT'S REPORT 2026

NOTEWORTHY NEWS

Profs. Dan Blumberg and Daniel Chamovitz with Nati Hasson, Keren Karp, and Jeffrey Neiman of the Diane and Guilford Glazer Foundation signing the cornerstone scroll for the Diane and Guilford Glazer Future Technologies Building. Feb. 2026 L-R: Cyndi Mintzberg, Max Mintzberg and President Prof. Chamovitz at the cornerstone laying ceremony for the Cyndi and Max Mintzberg Cultural and Conference Centre. May 2025

PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT The cornerstone for the Cyndi and Max

Mintzberg Cultural and Conference Centre , which will be the largest in the Negev, was laid in May, at the 2025 Board of Governors Meeting. Representatives of the Diane and Guilford Glazer Foundation visited BGU to lay the cornerstone for the Diane and Guilford Glazer Future Technologies Building in February.

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BEN-GURION UNIVERSITY OF THE NEGEV

NOTEWORTHY NEWS

The Ernest Scheller, Jr. Gate of Innovation, the North Campus' main gate, will be inaugurated in October 2026 Victor Hadad, Director of the Sylvan Adams Sports Center, inspects damage to the Jacqueline Ann Ayrton Sports Hall. June 2025

An Iranian missile attack during Operation Rising Lion in June 2025 scored a direct hit on the Soroka University Medical Center, destroying a building that held BGU teaching and research labs, and damaging multiple buildings on the Marcus Family Campus and Sylvan Adams Sports Center.

IN MEMORIAM Sahar Baruch, z”l was supposed to start his electrical engineering studies the week after October 7, 2023, but was murdered in captivity in Gaza. He was laid to rest in Kibbutz Be’eri in early November 2025. Naomi Shaanan, z”l, a retired BGU librarian and devoted activist on behalf of the hostages, was tragically killed by a direct Iranian missile strike on her home on June 24, 2025. Master Sgt. (res.) Alon Farkas, z”l , a 3rd year student in the School of Cognitive & Brain Sciences, was killed in combat in June 2025.

Naomi Shaanan, z”l

Sahar Baruch, z”l

Alon Farkas, z”l

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PRESIDENT'S REPORT 2026

The Paul S. Bernhard Dog Training Park was inaugurated in November. Nearly a third of Israeli guide dogs complete their foster training with BGU students. Incoming Rector, Prof. Yaniv Gelbstein Prof. Tammy Riklin Raviv

APPOINTMENTS Prof. Yaniv Gelbstein , currently Dean of the Faculty of Engineering Sciences, was elected to serve as the University’s next Rector and will assume office on August 1, 2026. He succeeds Prof. Chaim Hames, who served two terms. Prof. Tammy Riklin Raviv was appointed the President's Advisor on Gender Equity in October 2025, replacing Prof. Yael Hashiloni-Dolev.

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BEN-GURION UNIVERSITY OF THE NEGEV

NOTEWORTHY NEWS

ACADEMIC DEVELOPMENT The University’s seventh faculty, the Stein Faculty of Computer and Information Science, uniting research and teaching in computer science, software engineering, information systems, and AI, was launched in November 2025. BGU announced the establishment of the Young Family School for the Human Experience , a unique program supporting humanistic education for students in natural sciences, engineering, health sciences and management throughout the University. Israel’s Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) inaugurated a new secure research room at BGU, providing authorized researchers in the south with access to high-quality statistical data. ​

L-R: Prof. Amit Schejter, Toni Young and author Nicole Krauss discuss the new Young Family School for the Human Experience during the 2025 BOG Meeting. Photo: Nikolas Smirnov L-R: Professors Nadav Davidovich, Daniel Chamovitz, Natalya Bilenko, Reli Hershkovitz, Dorit Nitzan, and Dr. Michael Gdalewicz at the signing of an affiliation agreement with the Ministry of Health. Dec. 2025. Photo: Emil Tevosov.

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PRESIDENT'S REPORT 2026

President Prof. Daniel Chamovitz at the inauguration of BGSTUDIO L-R: President Chamovitz, Prof. Daniel Cohen-Zada, and CBS Director Prof. Yaron Felus at the launch of the CBS research room at BGU. Nov. 2025

The Institute at BGU launched the Executive AI Healthcare program for senior healthcare leaders, to be led by public health expert Prof. Ran Balicer , who is also Chief Innovation Officer at Clalit Health Services. The Unit for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning Quality launched BGSTUDIO , a new state-of-the-art video production studio that will support BGU faculty in creating high-quality digital and academic content. Harvard University and BGU launched an English language student exchange program, offering coursework in archaeology, marine science and sustainability.

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NOTEWORTHY NEWS

PARTNERING FOR THE FUTURE BGU’s campus in Sde Boker was named for Canadian-Israeli philanthropist Sylvan Adams , in recognition of his magnanimous gift to the University. Aviation giant Boeing and BGU signed a five-year agreement to establish a dedicated cybersecurity research center to address next-generation aviation and space systems security threats. Google and BGU announced expanded strategic collaboration on a range of projects, including improving Hebrew and Arabic AI models. Global chip giant NVIDIA announced it will triple the size of its R&D center at the Advanced Technologies Park, adjacent to BGU, and hire hundreds more BGU graduates.

The entrance to the Sylvan Adams Campus | Sde Boker L-R: Ido Nehoshtan, President of Boeing Israel, Prof. Yuval Elovici,

Heads of local authorities across the Negev, alongside business leaders and government representatives convened in January to sign on to the BGU-led initiative Prisma Negev. BGU, the Israel National Cyber Directorate ,

Director of Cyber@ BGU, Dr. Brendan Nelson, President of

and the Port of Ashdod launched a dedicated master’s degree program in maritime cybersecurity and risk management.

Boeing Global, and BGU President, Prof. Daniel Chamovitz.

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PRESIDENT'S REPORT 2026

BGU researchers joined the Israel Innovation Authority’s new Green Soil research consortium to pioneer biological technologies for purifying contaminated soil and groundwater. BGU signed a new affiliation agreement with the Ministry of Health’s Southern and Ashkelon District Health Offices , integrating them into Faculty of Health Sciences clinical training programs and advancing applied research. A delegation from BGU’s Goldman Sonnenfeld School of Sustainability and Climate Change (GSSSCC) helped launch the Desert Stars Innovation and Sustainability Hub in Marsabit County in northern Kenya , bringing tested Israeli desert expertise to communities severely impacted by climate change.

GSSSCC delegation

in Marsabit, Kenya. Photo: courtesy

Negev leaders gather to celebrate the launch of Prisma Negev. Jan. 2026

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NOTEWORTHY NEWS

Prof. Lior Rokach

Dr. Shimrit Maman

Dr. Shafir Botner

Prof. Anat Milo

EXCELLENCE RECOGNIZED ​ BGU was ranked 52nd in the 2025 global list of the “ most entrepreneurial universities ,” published annually by PitchBook . Prof. Lior Rokach was appointed to the UN’s newly established Independent International Scientific Panel on Artificial Intelligence, the sole Israeli on the 40-person panel. Dr. Shimrit Maman, head of BGU’s Remote Sensing Lab, was appointed Chair of the Israel Space Agency, succeeding Prof. Dan Blumberg, also of BGU. Dr. Shafir Botner of the Dept. of Emergency Medicine was appointed Chief Paramedic of Magen David Adom, Israel’s national emergency medical service. Three BGU faculty members were awarded highly competitive European Research Council ( ERC) Consolidator grants : Professors Klim Efremenko , Anat Milo , and Benjamin Palmer were among just 349 grant recipients worldwide.

Prof. Klim Efremenko

Prof. Benjamin Palmer

​ Prof. Palmer also received the prestigious 2025 Blavatnik Award for Young Scientists in Israel. Dr. Yisroel Mirsky of the Stein Faculty of Computer and Information Science and head of the Offensive AI Research Lab at Cyber@ BGU was awarded an ERC Starting Grant . Profs. Josh Baraban and Nir Schlezinger were awarded ERC Proof of Concept grants.

Prof. Benjamin Palmer

Dr. Yisroel Mirsky

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PRESIDENT'S REPORT 2026

Ophir Ben-Shoham receives a scholarship from the President of Israel Isaac Herzog and First Lady Michal Herzog. Photo: Office of the President

Prof. Idan Hod

Doctoral student Ophir Ben-Shoham received the President of Israel's Scholarship for Excellence and Scientific Innovation in recognition of his research improving clinical AI language models in medicine. Prof. Ziv Cojocaru, composer and head of the Music Division in the Dept. of the Arts was awarded the ACUM (Society of Authors, Composers and Music Publishers in Israel) Prize for Achievement of the Year in Musical Composition. The satirical Ig Nobel Prize in the category of Aviation was awarded to Professors Carmi Korine and Berry Pinshow, along with former students Francisco Sánchez and Mariana Melcón, for their landmark 2010 study on how drunkenness affects Egyptian fruit bats.

Prof. Yigal Schwartz of the Dept. of Hebrew Literature was elected to the Israel Academy of Sciences and Humanities. The 2025 Tenne Family Prize for Nano Scale Sciences was awarded to Prof. Idan Hod of the Dept. of Chemistry. Prof. Galit Nimrod of the Dept. of Communication Studies was selected to the committee that will draft the Convention on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights of Older Persons for the UN Human Rights Council . The Department of Nursing leads the country, with all 136 graduates successfully passing their national licensing examination with an average score of 91.

Prof. Yigal Schwartz

Prof. Ziv Cojocaru

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BEN-GURION UNIVERSITY OF THE NEGEV

NOTEWORTHY NEWS

Recipients of BGU's honorary doctoral degrees for 2025 Recipients of the Ben-Gurion Award with Rector Hames (top left) and President Chamovitz (top right) on Ben-Gurion Day, Nov. 2025

HONORS BESTOWED BGU’s highest honor, the honorary doctoral degree, was bestowed on seven inspiring individuals at the 2025 Board of Governors Meeting in May: Social media star “ Nas Daily” Nuseir Yassin , nursing advocate Prof. Judith Shamian , philanthropist Sami Sagol , endocrinologist Prof. Moshe Phillip , artist Zoya Cherkassky , Russian protest singer Andrey Makarevich , and renowned author Nicole Krauss . The 2025 Ben-Gurion Awards recognizing individuals and institutions whose vision, leadership, and dedication have advanced the Negev, the State of Israel, and society at large were bestowed upon Adv. Dr. Esther Luzzatto , a champion of the Negev innovation ecosystem, Hapoel Beer-Sheva Football Club , agronomist, educator, and former hostage Gadi Moses , Sderot mayor Alon Davidi , educator and activist Ghadir Hani , the Schulich Foundation , and emeritus social work professor Vered Slonim-Nevo .

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REPORTS

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BEN-GURION UNIVERSITY OF THE NEGEV

Prof . CHAIM HAMES

RECTOR

FINAL SNIPPETS FROM THIS RECTOR’S DIARY (MARCH 2025 – MARCH 2026) April 20, 2025 Six times a year, the Senate meets to discuss and make decisions about matters on the academic agenda. The Senate is made up of representatives from every faculty who are elected by their peers for three-year terms. The Rector is elected by the Senate and chairs its meetings. On the agenda today is the continued attack on academic freedom in Israel by the government, even while the war is still going on, and the cutting of research funds in the USA which will affect our research collaborations as well. Also on the agenda is the presentation of the new Stein Faculty of Computer and Information Science that we have been working on for almost two years. This is a major endeavor and new departure for the University, and the bylaws of the new Faculty must be approved by the Senate. The debate is vigorous and some corrections are suggested for the bylaws, but the setting up of the new Faculty is approved by a large majority, including the innovative structure of a faculty with no departments, but research hubs instead. May 28, 2025 After receiving positive feedback following last year’s event, the second academic community day was held today with almost 200 participants. We started off the day studying literary texts together, followed by a TED style session, and then roundtables where researchers met and discussed their research with colleagues. The keynote lecture given by journalist Amir Tibon focused on

October 7 and its aftermath. Food and good coffee were a mainstay of the day, and we also remembered and named the hostages still in Gaza. The day ended with dessert, beer and a musical performance by The Tamari Project, a group formed in memory of Tamar Kedem Siman Tov and her family, massacred on October 7. I hope that even more faculty attend next year. June 16, 2025 In Montreal to introduce Bernard-Henri Lévy at the gala event arranged by the amazing BGU Canada team, which was extremely well attended, interesting and intellectually challenging. I took the opportunity to meet with the Provosts of McGill and Concordia. In Toronto, I spoke at an event at Beth Avraham Yoseph, one of the largest orthodox communities in Canada. While I am there, Operation Rising Lion (the twelve-day war with Iran) starts and there are no flights back to Israel. To cut a long story short, I made my way to Europe and eventually managed to get on one of the flights bringing Israelis home from Paris. As of Saturday morning, I am back home with my family. Sadly, a missile hits Soroka Hospital and causes immense damage, but no casualties, and in the last hours of the war, another missile hits a building 400m as the crow flies from my home in Beer-Sheva, killing four people. In our safe room at home, we both heard and felt the missile’s impact. October 26, 2025 For the first time in two long and very hard years, and even though the war is still going on, the academic year starts on time and as planned. We still have over a thousand

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PRESIDENT'S REPORT 2026

Mira Golomb

Ifat Banani

students doing reserve military service and the challenges facing the thousands of others who have been on the battlefield, have seen awful things, and then must adjust to campus and classrooms are enormous. As we have done in the last couple of years, we have put together a plan that provides help to bridge the gaps and make up materials, but it is not enough. Each of these students is an individual with a very different story and needs, and I wish we had the capability to put together unique packages for each one, but it is not possible or feasible. November 24, 2025 This evening, we had an event to thank faculty who went above and beyond to help our students called up for reserve duty over the last two years. Many of our faculty have themselves done reserve duty and many have had to deal with their partners, children or relatives being on the frontline, but throughout, they have gone out of their way to help our students. Together with our students, we chose forty of our administrative and academic faculty who have been exceptional in the aid and attention that they have provided our students. It was a moving evening, and I think that the gesture was much appreciated by all who attended. January 1, 2026 The position of Academic Secretary is probably one of the most important administrative posts for the running of the University. Mira Golomb , Academic Secretary for the past seven years, retired today, and her successor, Ifat Banani , has taken over. We wish her all the best. The Academic Secretary and her staff are part of the Rector’s Office, and basically make sure that everything to do with teaching in the University runs smoothly, that we abide by the byelaws of the University and the Council for Higher Education, and that the Senate and disciplinary

Close-up of the Bring Back the Color installation in the gallery of the Samuel and Milada Ayrton University Center

committees run smoothly. It is an enormous job that touches almost every aspect of University life. This is my opportunity to thank Mira for her dedication and professionalism during seven pretty challenging years. January 29, 2026 For the last two years, anyone entering the Senate Building from the parking lot could not help but see the Bring Back the Color exhibit and the screens counting off the days, hours, minutes, and seconds since October 7, 2023. The 251-chair exhibit was a daily reminder of the hostages and put everything else into perspective. The release of the body of Ran Gvili, the last remaining hostage in Gaza, finally allowed us to turn off the screens in a moving ceremony. With joy for the live hostages released whose chairs were colorfully painted, mixed with sadness for the grey chairs with black ribbons, after 843 days, together with the curator, Eli Revzin, we finally took the exhibit apart and removed the chairs.

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BEN-GURION UNIVERSITY OF THE NEGEV

381 STUDENTS RECEIVED DOCTORATES IN 2025, INCLUDING 142 MDS FROM THE GOLDMAN MEDICAL SCHOOL 239 PHDS FROM THE KREITMAN SCHOOL OF ADVANCED GRADUATE STUDIES

February 18, 2026 This morning, the results of the elections for my successor as Rector were announced. I will step down on July 31, 2026 and Prof. Yaniv Gelbstein will take office on August 1. While there are still five months to go before my term ends, it is a moment for reflection on the past NEW DEGREE PROGRAMS A new MBA program with specialization in artificial intelligence ( MBAI ), including NVIDIA-certified courses, was established by the Guilford Glazer Faculty of Business and Management and the University’s Institute (which offers executive courses in AI). A new interdisciplinary undergraduate degree program in Sustainability and Environmental Protection was launched at the Goldman Sonnenfeld School of Sustainability and Climate Change. A new academic conversion to nursing track enables academics from other fields to earn a nursing degree,

addressing healthcare workforce needs and offering a meaningful, impact-driven career path. New interdisciplinary master’s tracks in physiotherapy , also open to occupational therapy graduates, focus on advanced clinical and research skills, with specializations in rehabilitation and in orthotics & prosthetics (the latter funded by the Ministry of Health and conducted in collaboration with the Adi Negev-Nahalat Eran Rehabilitation Center). A seven-month cyber and information security training program opened at the Eilat campus with 26 students.

seven and a half years. There have been many challenges (Coronavirus, military operations, the judicial overhaul, the October 7 massacre and the war in its aftermath), but the University has thrived, grown and improved in research and teaching, and in international rankings. None of this

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PRESIDENT'S REPORT 2026

could have happened without my colleagues, Prof. Gal DeBotton, the Vice Rector and Prof. Louisa Meshi, Pro Rector for Teaching (who replaced Prof. Timor Melamed when he decided to step down a couple of years ago). The cooperation, partnership, dialogue, mutual respect, and trust built with Danny ensured that I could focus on the academic development of the University knowing that I would have his support and aid where needed, and I very much hope that a similar relationship and respect for boundaries will exist between Danny and Yaniv. It is so crucially important for the continued growth and success of the University we all love so much. March 3 (Purim), 2026 I write this as ballistic missiles are incoming from Iran again and we have postponed the start of the second semester scheduled to begin on March 8. I hope that this war with Iran will bring the desired results for Israel and the region. He who makes peace, may He make peace for us, all Israel, and the world.

SPOTLIGHT ON THE PRE-ACADEMIC CENTER Through preparatory studies and alternative admission pathways, the Pre-Academic Center at BGU serves as a gateway to undergraduate studies, promoting equal opportunity, academic readiness, and successful integration into degree programs across all faculties. •Year-long Preparatory Programs – 240 students One-year programs focusing on mathematics, physics, and chemistry that substitute for the matriculation certificate (Bagrut) for university admission. •Ofek Preparatory Program for the Bedouin Community – 24 students A dedicated year-long program with three different tracks, focusing on strengthening Hebrew proficiency and academic skills, thereby expanding access to higher education for Bedouins students. • Aliyah to Academia (New Immigrant Program) – 39 students A one-year program combining intensive Hebrew studies with academic coursework in Russian or English. Tracks include engineering for Russian speakers, engineering for English speakers, and social sciences & humanities for English speakers. •Psychometric Alternatives Programs – 205 students BGU-specific programs in which academic coursework replaces the psychometric exam (or its quantitative component) for admission to all faculties. • Pre-degree and Refresher Courses – 360 students Summer and first-semester courses providing academic reinforcement and fulfillment of admission requirements. •Hebrew Courses – 144 students Dedicated language courses supporting academic integration for students requiring additional Hebrew proficiency.

Awardees at the ceremony honoring excellence and innovation in teaching. Jan. 2026

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BEN-GURION UNIVERSITY OF THE NEGEV

DIRECTOR-GENERAL AND VICE PRESIDENT TAL BEN-HAIM

The past year at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev has continued to be shaped by national uncertainty, security challenges, and economic constraints. Despite this, the University demonstrated resilience, adaptability, and an unwavering commitment to its mission. Through the collective efforts of faculty, staff, students, and partners, the University not only maintained stablility, but achieved meaningful progress across all core areas of activity. The University’s overarching mission remains unchanged: to be among the world’s leading universities while serving as a driving force for social, scientific, and economic development in the Negev. The year marked a significant turning point, with measurable improvements in student enrollment, research performance, and global reputation. The University’s rise in international rankings

reflects both academic excellence and the effectiveness of focused strategic management.

BGU IN THE SHANGHAI ACADEMIC RANKING OF WORLD UNIVERSITIES, 2020-2025

301-400 301-400

401-500 401-500 401-500

501-600

2020 2021

2022

2023

2024 2025

Alongside our achievements, the University confronted significant challenges. Government budget constraints, the direct effects of war on campus operations, and the reserve duty service of a substantial portion of students required rapid adaptation and sustained crisis management. At the same time, the accelerating impact of artificial intelligence on higher education demanded continuous revision and updating of academic models, teaching methods, and institutional infrastructure. We continued developing a comprehensive framework for strengthening the University’s financial resilience,

BGU Radio takes part in the Open Day for prospective students. Feb. 2026