BGU | PRESIDENT'S REPORT 2026

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PRESIDENT'S REPORT 2026

Orientation for International Students at the Marcus Family Campus. Oct. 2025

representatives from a bank, an insurance provider, and a telecommunications company. Each month, members of the international community participate in organized excursions to sites across Israel, providing meaningful opportunities to engage with the country’s cultural, historical, and natural heritage while fostering community cohesion and intercultural exchange. The Welcome Center operates in collaboration with other campus organizations such as Ambassadors for Shared Living, Hillel, and Stand With Us. During the recent periods of conflict, the Welcome Center served as a key point of care for the international community, working in collaboration with the University’s student psychological services. We organized online gatherings via Zoom, called each and every international student individually, and provided students with opportunities to connect, share experiences, and receive guidance. IMPACT OF CURRENT CONFLICTS ON INTERNATIONALIZATION The wars in Israel have created an unprecedented set of challenges for the internationalization of Israeli higher education generally, and BGU in particular. One of the most troubling developments has been the emergence of academic boycotts targeting Israeli scholars and institutions. These boycotts, often driven by political pressures external to academia, have taken various forms, including suspension or cancellation of

joint research projects with Israeli scholars and institutes previously conducted in partnership with colleagues and institutions abroad; withdrawal of invitations for Israeli academics to participate in global conferences, panels, and academic forums; and exclusion of Israeli researchers from international research collaborations, peer-review processes, and editorial boards. These actions have not only harmed individual scholars but have also undermined the foundational principles of global academia – open exchange, intellectual dialogue, and the pursuit of knowledge beyond political boundaries. BGU remains steadfast in its belief that academic freedom must transcend politics. The University continues to advocate for the preservation of scientific collaboration as a shared human endeavor that contributes to peace, understanding, and progress. Recognizing the complexity of the situation and its potential long-term implications, the Office of the Vice President for Global Engagement has taken proactive steps to assist the academic community in navigating these challenges. In addition to establishing a dedicated website and providing individual case-by-case assistance, this has included a significant investment of time and institutional resources in media appearances, as well as extensive engagement with policymakers and academic leaders worldwide to explain the context, navigate emerging obstacles, and advocate for the critical importance of sustaining academic collaboration with BGU.