BGU | PRESIDENT'S REPORT 2026

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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.