BEN-GURION UNIVERSITY | THE WAY FORWARD

From Vision to Impact THE WAY FORWARD Mid-Campaign Report | 2020–2026 October 2026

TABLE OF CONTENTS

From the President

4

Introduction

6

Donor Impact on Physical Development

14 14 15 17 18 19 21 21 22 22 23 25 25 27 32 35 36 38 38 44 49 49 50 52

North Campus

Marcus Family Campus Sylvan Adams Campus

Eilat Campus

Campus Beautification

Donor Impact on Access to Academia

Undergraduate Scholarships Postgraduate Fellowships Center for Pre-Academic Studies

Diversity and Inclusion

Donor Impact on Research Excellence Faculty Recruitment and Retention

New Research Facilities

New Equipment and Improved Infrastructure

Innovative Initiatives Aimed at Promoting Research and Building Research Capacity

Internationalization

Donor Impact on Academic Excellence and Student Experience

Academic Programs The Student Experience

Donor Impact on Negev Enhancement and Community Uplift Prisma Negev: the Cornerstone of Negev Enhancement Initiatives to Enhance Education and Culture in the Negev

Community Outreach

Donor Impact in Emergencies

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FROM THE PRESIDENT

Dear Global Campaign Committee Members,

As the Way Forward Campaign enters its seventh year, I am pleased to present the first Way Forward Campaign Impact Report, an extensive report highlighting the campaign’s significant impact through September 2026. Over the past six years, we’ve updated you regularly on the campaign’s progress, reporting on the amount raised, significant donations received, potential gifts in the pipeline, and more. At our gatherings, we’ve highlighted our wins and addressed existing challenges, building momentum and coalescing as a team with a shared vision and goals. In this report, we take a step back and look at the big picture, chronicling the campaign’s impact and the changes we’ve seen at BGU in this short period of time. The report translates the figure of $705 million raised into actual impact on the ground, reflected in the development of our campuses, the work of our researchers, and the lives of our students, and allows us to understand the magnitude of our collective efforts. This report celebrates our achievements and the University we have built thus far and pushes us forward toward the University we strive to become – Israel’s leading university in terms of research, teaching, and contribution to society and one of the world’s top research institutions. The need for the campaign emerged with the BGU Beyond 50 strategic plan, and the funds raised are enabling us to implement the plan and realize our dreams for BGU’s advancement. We are now well on our way on a path that began with the strategic plan’s development and will culminate with the achievement of our goals. Deputy-General and Vice President Tal Ben-Haim, z”l played an integral role in the plan’s development and execution, and in identifying what was needed to advance BGU. He was a true partner in the Way Forward Campaign. He was at my side as we set it in motion and at every step along the way, and I’m deeply sorry that he won’t be with us at the finish line. He left an impressive legacy at BGU, and with our efforts to realize the goals of the campaign we will uphold it. From the outset, we viewed the campaign as a shared endeavor to realize the potential of our special university in the Negev and sought to involve the entire global BGU community in the campaign. The strength of both the campaign and the University lies in this. Broad partnership, collaboration, and a shared sense of purpose provide a solid foundation for success, and the Global Campaign Committee and its members, united in their commitment to BGU, are evidence of this. On behalf of Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, I thank you. Your involvement and support have been critical to our accomplishments. As you read the report, I hope you feel a great sense of pride. I also hope that it will inspire and motivate you further. Our ability to fulfill our shared goals and vision relies on our continued partnership and efforts. I look forward to this and all that we can accomplish together.

Yours sincerely,

Prof. Daniel A. Chamovitz

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INTRODUCTION In August 2020, shortly after celebrating its 50th anniversary at the annual Board of Governors meeting, in the midst of the great uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev published its strategic plan, BGU Beyond 50, a decisive document defining the University’s path forward and charting its course for the years ahead. Stability and peaceful times are never assured in Israel, but when the strategic plan was launched, no one at BGU could have imagined what would be in store for us in the next few years. The pandemic, along with the horrific events of October 7th, prolonged war, Iranian conflict, and an unceasing wave of unprecedented global antisemitism and anti-Israel sentiment have challenged the University. During this turbulent time, the strategic plan served as a compass, enabling us to keep our eyes on the future we envision for BGU and to work toward fulfilling it. Rather than discouraging us, these challenges inspired us, fueling our efforts to advance during this difficult time. The need for a strategic plan was recognized by BGU President Prof. Daniel Chamovitz very early in his tenure, after identifying a disturbing trend of decreasing research output which resulted in a decline in international rankings and external research funding. The comprehensive plan that emerged was based on a thoughtful process of engagement with BGU’s stakeholders, undertaken in a spirit of partnership, reflecting shared commitment to reversing these trends and shaping the University’s future and its next 50 years.

This process resulted in the identification of a single goal for BGU: “To become one of the world’s top research institutions and Israel’s leading university in terms of research, teaching, and contribution to society,” along with the strategy for achieving that goal: “Recruiting and attracting outstanding faculty members to the University and retaining and nurturing them.” Implementation of this strategy will enable BGU to achieve this goal and realize both its potential and David Ben-Gurion’s vision to create an impactful Hebrew Oxford in the Negev. It will place the University among the foremost research institutions worldwide, a position from which it will proudly bring forth knowledge and solutions from the heart of the Negev to address the challenges facing Beer-Sheva, our region, Israel, and the world. This process is well on its way and exemplified in the recent study by the Stanford Graduate School of Business that ranked BGU first in Israel and third in the world outside of the US for its graduates’ odds of founding unicorn companies. These aspirations are shared by the global BGU community, which is deeply committed to the University and its growth and development. The Way Forward Campaign, launched in October 2020 to ensure BGU’s advancement and ability to implement the strategic plan, provides a means for our friends around the world to take an active role in achieving our shared goal of becoming a national and global powerhouse. And since that time, our global partners have been by our side, helping us fulfill our goal, along with our traditional educational and research mission and unique founding mandate to serve as a catalyst for the Negev’s advancement.

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Global Campaign 1 October 1, 2020 – September 30, 2026

70%

$705 M

$0 B

$1 B

Donations by Budget Designation

Fellowships $12M

General Budget $22M

Scholarships $42M

Building Fund $206M

Endowment Fund $38M

Research $71M

Various $314M

1 The Way Forward Global Campaign is scheduled to last 10 years, from 2020 to 2030, with the goal of raising $1 billion.

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While this mandate has always been a guiding force at BGU, the events of October 7th and the war that followed underscored the need for the University to uphold it with increased determination and conviction and take an active role in ensuring the Negev’s future. The Way Forward Campaign is enabling BGU to fulfill this expanded role, and with donor support, the University is spearheading efforts to rebuild and revitalize the Negev, foster resilience, and create a brighter future for the region. We have passed the midpoint of the 10-year global campaign, a significant milestone that both merits attention and commendation and motivates our efforts to reach our $1 billion goal. In the pages that follow, we celebrate all we have been able to achieve together thus far. But before we do so, we thank you, our devoted friends and supporters around the world, who together have committed over $705 million in support of BGU’s global campaign (from October 2020 until September 2026). These donations have come from every corner of the world, from around 13,500 donors from 30 countries. Given this tremendous outpouring of support, we cannot describe the impact of each individual donation in this report. We are, however, grateful for the support of every one of you. Each gift brings us closer to achieving our shared goals and realizing the full potential of our outstanding university in the

Negev, an institution with a rare trifecta: a wealth of knowledge generated in the heart of the desert that can be applied for the greater good; the conviction to do so to address the challenges of the region, Israel, and the world; and the support of a global community of leaders, friends, and partners who make this possible. This report honors you, our donors, highlighting the massive impact your collective support of the Way Forward Campaign has made. As you’ll see, all aspects of university life have been touched by the campaign. Just imagine what we can accomplish together by the time we cross the finish line of the 10-year campaign! As you read this report, we hope you’ll be inspired and proud, for together we are building the best BGU ever. The last few challenging years have shown us that our community is strongest when we stand together, and the success of this campaign thus far is a testament to this. We invite you to continue to stand by our side as we embark on the second half of the global campaign. Your commitment, partnership, and leadership have brought us to where we are today, and it will also take us forward and enable us to fulfill our goals.

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Global Campaign at a Glance

Pledged $321M (46%)

$384M (54%) Gifted

New Donors

$146M (21%)

Existing Donors $559M (79%)

Non-BoG Members $197M (28%)

BoG Members $506M (72%)

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Total Donations by Country (US$)

Country

Total Donations

United States

341,639,000

Canada

206,936,000

Israel

115,753,000

United Kingdom

15,453,000

Switzerland

12,445,000

Liechtenstein

3,328,000

South Africa

2,326,000

France

1,769,000

Russian Speakers

1,086,000

Australia

935,000

Italy

817,000

Germany

516,000

Argentina

327,000

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Country

Total Donations

Luxemburg

300,000

Mexico

297,000

Brazil

273,000

Netherlands

253,000

Belgium

108,000

New Zealand

98,000

Ireland

90,000

Venezuela

70,000

Japan

62,000

Ecuador

41,000

Chile

21,000

Panama

12,000

Portugal

10,000

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Donations vs. Target (US$ millions)

$110M $110M

$105M $105M $110M $110M

$100M $100M

$75M $75M

$53M $72M $65M $128M $120M $267M

2020-21

2021-22 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25 2025-26 2026-27

2027-28

2028-29 2029-30

Annual Donations

Annual Target

Cumulative Donations vs. Target (US$ millions)

$1,000M

$890M

$780M

$670M

$560M

$455M

$350M

$250M

$150M

$75M

$124M $189M $317M $437M $705M

$53M

2020-21

2021-22 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25 2025-26 2026-27

2027-28

2028-29 2029-30

Cumulative Donations

Cumulative Target

12

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DONOR IMPACT ON PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

The University’s growth now and in the decades ahead depends on the development of the North Campus and continued investment in the Marcus Family Campus in Beer-Sheva, the Sylvan Adams Campus in Sde Boker, and the Eilat Campus. Such investment will ensure that

both new and existing buildings at BGU are filled with the necessary classrooms and teaching labs, research labs and centers, facilities, infrastructure, and equipment to support education and research now and in the future.

Donations by Campus

North Campus

$155,583,481

Marcus Family Campus

$13,944,802

Sylvan Adams Sports Center

$14,409,181

Sylvan Adams Campus

$15,214,360

Eilat Campus

$6,990,000

Total

$206,141,824

The Marcus Family Campus, Sylvan Adams Campus in Sde Boker, Eilat Campus, and North Campus of today are quite different than in 2020, when we launched the Way Forward Campaign. Transformative new construction, upgrades and renovations, and campus beautification projects have all been possible with donor support, which has enhanced all of our campuses. NORTH CAMPUS The North Campus holds the key to the future at BGU, enabling the University’s future growth and paving the way for greater impact and the fulfillment of BGU’s mission and aspirations. The value of the North Campus lies in its development, which is proceeding at a rapid pace with donor support.

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The Drahi Innovation and Entrepreneurship Building and the Helmsley Computer Science Building already stand tall against the horizon. Although currently unfinished, they are filled with promise – the infinite promise of the discoveries that will emerge from the buildings’ research labs, of the views respectfully voiced in the classrooms’ discourse, and of the cross fertilization of ideas and innovative applications possible in that small stretch of previously fallow land. These buildings will open their doors by October 2027, in time for the start of the 2027 28 academic year. The third academic building to be constructed is the Diane and Guilford Glazer Foundation Future Technologies Building. Construction has begun, with the excavation and earthworks completed and the pouring of the foundation nearly complete. The building is slated to include several world-class centers (for quantum information science and technology, robotics, electro-optics, and remote sensing research) and complexes (clean rooms, dry laboratories, and wet laboratories), research labs, and more. In these state-of-the-art facilities, our researchers and students will explore and develop the technologies of the future. The building’s estimated completion date is December 2028. The next building on deck is the Jan Koum Building of Digital Frontiers and High-Tech Advancement (temporary name). The formal planning and design process has begun for this prominent new building situated on two lots, which will face the Drahi Innovation and Entrepreneurship Building and the Diane and Guilford Glazer Foundation Future Technologies Building. The building is slated to include advanced research labs of the Stein Faculty of Computer and Information Science and the Koum School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, a nano-fabrication and prototyping lab, and many other state-of-the-art spaces. Upon their construction, these four academic buildings will complete a major corridor on the North Campus. The northern portion of this corridor contains the Student Village, which welcomed students at the start of the 2021 22 academic year. This complex consists of

13 dormitory buildings (including Beit Mark, the Robert and Joan Arnow House, the Ellen S. Marcus House, and the Phil and Cees Wynn House) and the U-Tel. At the southernmost tip of the corridor is the new Ernest Scheller, Jr. Gate of Innovation. The Infrastructure Center, which places all energy infrastructure (control, provision, and supervision) for the North Campus under one roof, is fully operational, serving the entire campus and facilitating its growth. The plans for the North Campus also include the Cyndi and Max Mintzberg Cultural and Conference Centre, a facility which will dramatically improve BGU’s ability to host academic conferences and special events, enhancing cultural life on campus and in the Negev. An architect has been selected, and the building design process is underway. The estimated completion date is October 2030. The construction of other buildings, including a civil and environmental engineering and labs building and a building dedicated to medical education, relies on additional donor support. The need for the latter arose following the Iranian missile strike on Soroka University Medical Center which destroyed critical Faculty of Health Sciences (FOHS) research and educational facilities located there. To address the urgent need for classroom space for FOHS students, with donor support, BGU is completing two floors in the Drahi Innovation and Entrepreneurship Building, which were previously planned to be left unfinished until more buildings on the campus were completed. Each of these floors will contain three large lecture halls and five seminar rooms, as well as an independent study room, and more, ensuring that the education of Israel’s future healthcare professionals and the Negev’s healthcare system are not compromised as a result of the war. The tender process for this project has begun. MARCUS FAMILY CAMPUS The Marcus Family Campus, BGU’s historic heart with 53 buildings, stands as a testament to decades of donor vision and commitment. The Rachel and Max Javit Medical Simulation and Classroom Building is the newest building on the campus. This building, with its modern

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replenished as needed, maintaining the state of the art at the center. The Field Family Foundation Medical Simulation Center is a prime example of how donor support, together with BGU’s expertise, infrastructure, and resources, directly translate into improved quality of life in the Negev. The development of the Marcus Family Campus began in the 1970s, with the construction of the Zalman Aranne Central Library, and re investment in this building continues to this day with the support of our donors. Renovation of the Zalman Aranne Central Library became more urgent after the Iranian missile strike on Soroka University Medical Center. The missile’s shockwaves wreaked havoc, particularly on older buildings on campus, and the library, which is located closest to the impact site, was hard hit. The main goals of the renovation project are to optimize space usage, enhance the student learning experience, and modernize library services. The updated spaces will promote both academic success and community interaction, while reinforcing the library’s role as a central hub for learning, innovation, and community engagement. Recent years also saw the renewal of two gates on the Marcus Family Campus: (1) the Gabriel and Angel Tamman Gate, the main pedestrian gate, which is located next to the Zalman Aranne Central Library and directly across the street from Soroka; and (2) the Saul Unter Gate, located near the Carole and Marcus Weinstein Software and Information Systems Engineering and Cyber Security Building, which connects the University to the Ringelblum neighborhood, where many students live. The new edifices are fully accessible to those in wheelchairs, ensuring that all who enter are welcomed with dignity. The Sylvan Adams Sports Center at BGU was inaugurated at the Board of Governors Meeting in 2023 after undergoing an extensive renovation that transformed the sports complex, which was built in 1977 when there were only 3,500 students, into a state-of-the art facility now serving 20,000 students! In addition to serving as a sports venue, fitness center, and health club for students, faculty,

classrooms, auditoriums, and state-of-the-art Field Family Foundation Medical Simulation Center (which includes the Toronto Critical Care Ambulance Simulator, a fully outfitted ambulance enabling emergency medicine education and simulation) is a student magnet. Its inviting outdoor seating area has become a popular gathering place, its classrooms and auditoriums are constantly in use, as is the simulation center, where students and first responders alike practice their techniques in realistic settings. Construction of the Rachel and Max Javit Medical Simulation and Classroom Building and its Field Family Foundation Medical Simulation Center were completed in 2022. This milestone led to a pedagogical transformation at BGU, enabling the FOHS to shift from a protocol of “see one, do one” to a supervised, risk-free training environment and provide students with the state-of-the-art tools needed to enhance their skills and better prepare them for their work in the field. The center also serves as a critical resource for the Negev, providing advanced courses and specialized training for Soroka University Medical Center staff, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) medical units, and Magen David Adom (MDA) first responders, strengthening the healthcare infrastructure of Beer-Sheva and beyond. Ongoing support from donors around the world has ensured that equipment is

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SYLVAN ADAMS CAMPUS The Sylvan Adams Campus in Sde Boker has seen many changes since the launch of the global campaign in 2020. The stately Cyndi and Max Mintzberg Building for the Ben-Gurion Research Institute for the Study of Israel and Zionism and the Ben-Gurion Archives now stands proudly on the campus, paying tribute to the pioneering individuals who wrote Israel’s history and shaped the country’s development, the researchers who now study its evolution and dynamics, and the building’s benefactors. The building, with its inspiring visitors center, as well as the archives it contains, are national treasures, illuminating the past and inspiring the future. The building’s construction raised both the profile of the Ben Gurion Archives, giving them a proper home in a setting that reflects their importance and is conducive to research, and the stature of the Israel studies domain at the University, a field that explores issues at the very core of Israel’s identity – past, present, and future. The Ben-Gurion Visionary Way, a donor-driven paved walking and cycling path, connects the Cyndi and Max Mintzberg Building for the Ben Gurion Research Institute for the Study of Israel and Zionism and the Ben-Gurion Archives to the burial site of Paula and David Ben-Gurion. The path, which is several kilometers long and contains several shaded seating areas, overlooks the Zin canyon, providing breathtaking views of the beautiful desert landscape and an

staff, and community members, the center is the site of sports- and health-related research and community outreach activities targeting underprivileged populations in Beer-Sheva and the surrounding areas. The center is a vital hub of interaction between the University and the broader community, a place where the bonds of friendship are built and potential world-class athletes are developed. The sports facilities were the victim of a direct hit by an Iranian missile in June 2025, in which a missile penetrated the roof of the center’s multi-sport arena building, causing a fire and partial roof collapse. Since October 7th, the sports center facilities have been critical in building resilience, making the destruction feel particularly harsh. However, with the assistance of donors around the world, the multi-sports arena will not only be restored – it will be modernized and fully accessible, setting a new standard for recreational infrastructure in the region and laying the foundation for a stronger, more resilient future for BGU and the Negev. Our students’ well-being was the focus of another major renovation project on the Marcus Family Campus. With the support of a committed donor, Studio POSITIVE, BGU’s student fitness studio team embarked on a large-scale studio renovation. In January 2026, the studio reopened, and since then, the response from the team and participating students has been overwhelmingly positive. Demand is high, and classes are full. This donor-driven renovation has created a space in which students are building strength, confidence, and lasting healthy habits, complementing the world-class education they are receiving at BGU. Donor support also enhanced the well-being of canine visitors to campus. Nearly a third of Israeli guide dogs complete their foster training with BGU students, and their training opportunities were upgraded with the addition of the Paul S. Bernhard Dog Training Park to the Marcus Family Campus in 2025. The centrally located park is well-equipped with climbing structures for the animals and seating areas for their companions, ensuring that everyone will enjoy their visits to the park.

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opportunity to connect with our shared roots, our understanding of our past and present, and our shared future, all of which are brought to life by BGU researchers at Sde Boker. The institutes at the Sylvan Adams Campus in Sde Boker attract research students from around the globe who study at the Albert Katz International School for Desert Studies and the Woodman-Scheller Israel Studies International Program. In the coming years, they will be joined by undergraduates studying in a new degree program in sustainability and environmental protection. The demand for student housing already exceeds the housing available on campus, so to accommodate the new undergrads and enable the recruitment of additional graduate students, plans are underway to expand the student dormitory complex at Sde Boker. One hundred and sixty furnished apartments of various sizes will be constructed in this three-phase project, providing housing for 250 people. But that’s not all – the new complex will also serve as a living dryland laboratory, facilitating research on renewable energy, sustainable development, and water reuse. Phase 1 will see the construction of 40 apartments, while later phases will include the construction of more apartments, educational facilities (including classrooms, offices, and a teaching laboratory), a cafeteria, sports facilities, community gardens, playgrounds, and more. Since our ability to initiate new degree programs in Sde Boker hinges on housing, the new accommodations will facilitate many levels of growth – increased student numbers, degree program offerings, research output, and numbers of Israel studies and sustainability experts, each of whom will uniquely impact the world and their fields. Improvements have also been made to existing buildings and facilities at the Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research (BIDR) to provide labs for new recruits, enhance educational facilities, and support new capabilities such as microplastic analysis. In one case, a building was redesigned and renovated, establishing the Gitter Family Water Research and Teaching Laboratories, home to the BIDR’s first dedicated teaching laboratory and new research

laboratories. The construction of the teaching lab represents an important milestone, enabling faculty members to teach four laboratory courses without the need to stop regular research activity, while the new chemistry and micropollutant labs boost the BIDR’s research capacity. Offices for researchers and technicians were constructed above the laboratory space. The building also contains an auditorium seating 80 people, meeting the need for a medium-sized lecture hall on campus. Such improvements create opportunities to host major events like the Biannual International Water Summit and Zuckerberg Water Prize Event, which was launched in 2022, bringing together leading water science and technology scholars from around the world. The prestigious Zuckerberg Water Prize is awarded during the water summit to acknowledge outstanding achievements and global impact in the field of water, and the recipient delivers the summit’s plenary talk. Plans are already underway for the next summit which will be held in May 2027. Events like this bring hundreds of visitors to Sde Boker, providing an opportunity to showcase BGU and the outstanding BIDR researchers, disseminate knowledge, and foster international collaboration. EILAT CAMPUS In Eilat, with the assistance of our donors, the award of a major grant from Israel’s Council for Higher Education, and matching funds from the University, long-held dreams of expanding student housing, advancing research with the construction of a center dedicated to sea technologies and state-of-the-art research labs, and upgrading academic facilities are becoming a reality. The campus, which is on a trajectory of unprecedented growth, is transforming before our eyes, building momentum that will foster the continued growth of the campus and its programs, as well as the city of Eilat and the region, in the years to come. Marine biology studies and research are rapidly expanding. The grant and matching funds will enable the establishment of the new Center for Sea Technology, with state-of-the-art labs underpinning the center. The Sensory Ecology

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an architect. The need for affordable student housing is great. With additional donor support, another building can be constructed, further increasing the availability of such housing and supporting the growth of the Eilat Campus. In addition to these major initiatives, numerous projects to improve the infrastructure of the Eilat Campus have been undertaken. An existing classroom was renovated, creating a small auditorium. The student experience was also enhanced with the construction of a new independent study space. The computing and multimedia infrastructure was upgraded in most classrooms, and the renovation of another building on campus will create offices for marine biology researchers and students. A new academic program associated with the Center for Sea Technology is in the works. This program will complement longstanding programs in Eilat, including the track for first year engineering students, which continues to be in high demand, and the health systems management program, which is growing. Programs in tourism management, social work, nursing, and psychology also help meet the demand for these professionals in Eilat and the surrounding area and put higher education within reach of those in Israel’s southernmost region. CAMPUS BEAUTIFICATION In the Negev’s vast desert landscape, BGU is an educational and cultural oasis, home to significant educational, scientific, and cultural resources largely located in the impressive buildings on our three main campuses. But neither the resources nor the buildings stand in isolation. They serve as major landmarks in an arid landscape that also encompasses the many pathways, gardens, open areas, plazas, artwork, seating and recreation areas, and donor recognition sites that shape our campuses. These spaces, which bring us together as a community, are enhanced by our donors. Since 2020, various types of outdoor seating have been installed across the Marcus Family Campus, the Sylvan Adams Campus, and the Eilat Campus, including swings, benches, tables,

Lab of renowned marine biologist and champion of the Eilat Campus, Prof. Nadav Shashar will be foundational, along with a new lab for Prof. Benyamin Rosental. His team investigates immune responses in transplantation in diverse organisms; in Eilat, they will leverage their expertise to address ecological issues, exploring the use of stem cell transplantation to preserve coral reefs. In addition to these seasoned researchers, two new marine biologists were recently recruited, joining BGU in January 2026, and the process to recruit three more researchers is underway. Plans to construct labs for the new recruits and additional research infrastructure are in the advanced stages. With the addition of these marine biologists, the research and teaching capacity of the Eilat Campus will grow, enhancing BGU’s marine biology degree program. We are pleased to report that beginning in the 2026-27 academic year, both second- and third-year students will be studying at the Eilat Campus, benefiting from its living laboratory of the sea but increasing the demand for student housing. Thanks to our donors, the construction of a new dormitory is also underway. The new dorm will provide housing for 70 more students, doubling the number of students that can live on campus. The initial building program has been prepared, a project management company has been selected, and a tender is in progress to select

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Niches paying tribute to donors and loved ones have also been created, further enhancing the landscape. Since their establishment, focal points like the Alex Goren Patio, the Zin Fellows Garden in memory of Ben Guefen z”l, the Marlene Iochpe Kolodny z”l Memorial Garden, and the Fira and Efim Guzik Plaza have become popular gathering places. The new Young Family Path of Human Experience is already well-traveled, inspiring those who make their way on it. A new botanical garden, named in honor of Sir Stephen Waley-Cohen, the former president of the Jewish Colonisation Association (ICA) founded by Baron de Hirsch, was created at the Sylvan Adams Campus in Sde Boker. To commemorate October 7th and the fallen among our community, a memorial garden was created on the Marcus Family Campus. The deep sense of loss is conveyed by the many stone monuments on which the names are inscribed and the Orna Ben-Ami sculpture, commissioned by Coby and Riki Dayan, of a group of 12 figures, one of which is designated by an empty space. The contemplative space is visited on Memorial Day and throughout the year.

and chairs. In just a short time, the presence of these new seating areas has changed the feel of the campuses, encouraging students of all backgrounds to gather and hang out in our public spaces; sharing these spaces, claiming these spaces, and experiencing a sense of belonging in these spaces. Our donors have supported these improvements on campus.

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DONOR IMPACT ON ACCESS TO ACADEMIA

BGU is Israel’s only university in the vast Negev region, and our campuses in Beer-Sheva, Sde Boker, and Eilat put higher education within reach of the Negev’s diverse residents, many of whom are from communities typically underrepresented in higher education. Cognizant of the barriers (academic, cultural, social, and financial) that can prevent individuals from participating in academia, as well as the many opportunities higher education offers – including the opportunity to bring individuals from diverse groups together – BGU does everything it can to not only include students from all segments of the population in academia, but to enable them to succeed in this setting and feel welcome, ensuring that the campus is a supportive, inclusive, and truly shared space. Donors to the global campaign share our commitment to this, understanding the great value higher education provides to individuals, communities, and Israeli society as a whole. Every scholarship, fellowship, and program supported is thus a multiplier, creating opportunities that can change students’ trajectories, break invisible boundaries, inspire hope, and create a brighter future for all. UNDERGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIPS Many segments of the Israeli population are underrepresented in higher education, including young adults from Bedouin communities and small towns and villages in the periphery, those of Ethiopian descent, new immigrants, and first-generation students (young adults whose parents did not earn an academic degree). Higher education is simply not on the radar of many of these young adults who are full of potential but often lack sufficient funds along with academic role models. Faced with roadblocks like these, many of them opt out of university, representing both a personal loss and a loss to Israeli society. Scholarships make the dream of higher education a reality for

those who would otherwise be deprived of this transformative experience, and the University strives to provide scholarships to as many undergraduates in need as possible. Donor support of scholarships has increased since the start of the global campaign, with the establishment of several impactful scholarship programs, many of which emphasize academic and social support along with financial support in recognition of the need to provide a comprehensive support package to ensure academic success. Each scholarship awarded has significant impact and represents an investment in an Israeli student, which in turn is an investment in the State of Israel. By enabling students to fulfill their academic aspirations and advance professionally, our donors are nurturing Israel’s most treasured resources and building the leadership that will take the country to even greater heights in the future. Several of the new scholarship programs established during the Way Forward Campaign are highlighted below. These programs complement the many longstanding programs established over the years, including numerous scholarship endowment funds that visionary donors established to provide scholarships in perpetuity. The First Generation to the Academy scholarship program opens the door to higher education at BGU to students from the periphery whose parents do not have an academic degree. The Benin Scholars Program provides scholarships to outstanding students in STEM fields. The Delta Galil Program supports students from the Ethiopian community, across all degree levels. The Eric Samson-Bertie Lubner Scholarship, established to honor Bertie Lubner z”l,

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provides financial support for South African students pursuing a four-year MD degree at the Sagol Medical School for International Health. The Minrav Group Scholarship Fund in Memory of Avraham Kozinski is designated for civil and environmental engineering students. The Waldman Family Scholarship Fund supports students who transferred from or are alumni of Sapir College. The Dr. Itsick Levy Endowment Fund for Israelis of Ethiopian Origin in the Health Sciences will provide scholarships to FOHS students in perpetuity. The Heartbeat of Education initiative provides scholarships to all second-year students in BGU’s undergraduate degree program in emergency medicine (B.EMS), empowering Israel’s first responders. POSTGRADUATE FELLOWSHIPS Research students and postdoctoral researchers serve as the backbone of all major research universities. Israel is a small country, and the pool of scholars is limited. BGU faces intense competition from other academic institutions (in Israel and abroad) for the best and the brightest. Merit-based fellowships are a crucial tool in attracting top candidates to BGU, and the University strives to both increase the number of research students and provide fellowships to as many promising young researchers as possible. Support from our global donor family has enabled this, allowing those with the aspirations, qualifications, and motivation to pursue an advanced degree to do so, advancing research in diverse domains, and building expertise and leadership for the Israeli economy. Since 2020, several new fellowship programs have been established, alongside outstanding ongoing fellowship programs, and we are pleased to introduce a few of them below. The Batya and Yehezkel Sieratzki z”l Scholarship of Excellence supports four master’s degree fellowships per year at the BIDR. The Bedouin Managerial Leadership Training Program at the Guilford Glazer Faculty of Business and Management addresses the

underrepresentation of Bedouin men and women in management positions and MBA degree programs, providing tuition support and mentoring. The Graduate Fellowship Program in Computer and Information Science aims to attract and support outstanding master’s and doctoral students conducting advanced research in fields such as AI, cybersecurity, and related disciplines, strengthening Israel’s academic and technological ecosystem. The Master’s in Nursing Fellowship Program awards fellowships to research students in the Department of Nursing pursuing master’s degrees. The Neubauer Doctoral Fellowship Program for Arab students in STEM fields creates a pipeline of outstanding STEM leadership for industry and academia from a community underrepresented in these important domains. CENTER FOR PRE-ACADEMIC STUDIES The Center for Pre-Academic Studies at BGU serves as a bridge to academia, opening the doors of higher education widely and providing a steppingstone to university for those in need of remedial studies or a boost in specific areas to meet admission requirements. The center offers year-long preparatory programs aimed at providing prospective students with the necessary educational enrichment to gain acceptance to their chosen degree programs and the tools needed to succeed in academia. Without the opportunity to participate in such programs, higher education remains off limits for many young people, including new immigrants who may lack the required Hebrew language skills and young adults from the Bedouin community who may have a weak educational background or limited Hebrew. The demands of higher education are great, and for many promising prospective students, the difference between success in academia and disappointment depends on intensive preparation for university. In the first semester of the 2025-26 academic year, over 1,000 students participated in BGU’s preparatory programs, and donors around the world have partnered with us to ensure that these avenues to academia are open to new immigrants and Bedouin young adults.

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Aliyah to Academia The Aliyah to Academia program was established in 2022, offering hope and a path forward to Russian-speaking immigrants who arrived in Israel following the outbreak of the war in Ukraine. In 2025, in the midst of growing worldwide antisemitism, the program was extended to serve new English-speaking immigrants. In addition to providing intensive instruction in Hebrew, participants take academic courses, giving them a jump-start on their undergraduate studies; the course content and exams are the same as those taken by other BGU students, however Aliyah to Academia participants are taught and tested in Russian or English. The program also provides comprehensive support services, including mentorship, tutoring, and counseling. The program consists of two tracks: (1) engineering and natural, computer/data sciences (for Russian and English speakers), and (2) humanities and social sciences (for English speakers). In 2025-26, participants hailed from the US, Canada, Australia, Venezuela, Peru, Argentina, Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Ukraine, and Belarus. To date, 71 students have graduated from the program and enrolled in BGU degree programs. Donor support has been integral to the program. With 40 hours a week of courses, plus homework, scholarships are essential, and donors have partnered with BGU to ensure that participants can focus solely on their studies and acquire the Hebrew skills and course grades needed to get accepted to BGU and complete their undergraduate degrees. While registration is still underway for the coming year, interest remains strong for all of the tracks. Gateway to Academia and Ofek Preparatory Program for the Bedouin Community Programs like Ofek and its precursor, the Gateway to Academia program, are aimed at increasing the number of young adults from the Bedouin community pursuing higher education. Designed to meet the special needs of these students and provide them with the necessary tools and support needed to succeed in academia and a path to university admission, without the required psychometric admission exam which

can serve as a barrier to Bedouin young people, programs like these are empowering and often game-changing. Participants take part in intensive courses and workshops to improve their Hebrew, English, and study skills, and are also introduced to coursework at BGU through tracks in the health sciences, humanities and social sciences, and engineering, computer science, and natural sciences. Supportive services, including tutoring and enrichment, academic and social mentorship, and drop out prevention programs, study skills and test taking workshops, and academic, career, and psychological counseling, are available to minimize drop-out and maximize academic achievement. Donor support of student scholarships has created a supportive pathway to higher education for young adults from the Bedouin community. DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION The academic arena offers many Jews and Arabs their first significant opportunity to be in a shared space and get to know one another, and consequently, it may also serve as a basis for friendships and collaborations outside of academia. Intergroup encounters can counter polarization and raise awareness of discrimination, by replacing negative stereotypes with positive ones and improving attitudes toward other groups. Through shared encounters and experiences of sharing we can create a shared future in which our differences do not inspire fear or hostility but rather are valued and prized in a shared society built on mutual respect and human dignity. The likelihood of this happening serendipitously is slim, and there is a need to facilitate such encounters and provide opportunities for interaction. Since its establishment, the Office of the Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion has initiated several programs aimed at promoting diversity and inclusion and creating shared space on campus, emphasizing the need to foster sustained encounters, dialogue, and meaningful engagement between Jewish and Arab students, and nurture the mixed communities formed.

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Evaluation of the programs has demonstrated their significant impact not only in fostering communities committed to dialogue and mutual understanding, but also in strengthening students’ sense of belonging, particularly among students from minority groups. For many participants, their involvement represents the first time they have experienced a safe and supportive space in which they could express their identities and share their personal narratives. In the past year, the programs have expanded to include a wide range of students: Arabs from the north and south, Druze and Christian students, and Jewish students from diverse backgrounds, including religious students and first-generation students, equipping them with tools for sustaining dialogue in the absence of agreement, learning how to remain in conversation, listen deeply, and engage with complexity, rather than merely debating or persuading. The ability to listen to the “other” during a period of active war and deep polarization made it possible to create a respectful space grounded in shared dialogue norms, rather than shared political positions. Bridge-building is also the focus of many of the office’s other programs, including the Hebrew as a Key to Success initiative, which is introduced below, along with one of the office’s flagship community-building programs. These programs, like all of the office’s other initiatives, have been The Hebrew as a Key to Success program aims to increase Hebrew language proficiency among Negev Bedouin high school students, removing a barrier to social integration and success in higher education – the inability to speak and write in Hebrew. The program also equips Hebrew speaking BGU students with the skills needed to teach Hebrew to Bedouin youth and increases cultural awareness. However, the program does much more. By bringing native Hebrew speakers from BGU face-to-face with Bedouin youth in an informal educational setting, it breaks down boundaries, paving the way for mutual understanding, tolerance, and shared lives, which are important in Israel’s polarized society. The program consists of an academic advanced with donor support. Hebrew as a Key to Success

course for BGU students, providing the tools (pedagogical and cultural) to teach Hebrew to Bedouin youth, and informal Hebrew classes for Bedouin 12th graders, improving their Hebrew skills. This year, thanks to philanthropic support, the program reached 15 classrooms across two localities, with the goal of expanding its impact. Ambassadors for Shared Society Program The Ambassadors for Shared Society program is a year-long initiative aimed at building shared society leadership. In the program, which emphasizes leadership development, social entrepreneurship, and dialogue skills, students receive training in partnership, entrepreneurship, leadership, appreciating different perspectives, and managing intergroup tensions. Participants address questions of campus belonging and common good, engaging in dialogue on sensitive and complex social issues, while gaining tools for attentive communication and opportunities to cultivate social connectedness. In the program’s practical component, students collaborate on initiatives that serve a social purpose, applying the tools and skills they’ve acquired to serve as ambassadors for shared society in their respective academic faculties and beyond. Each year, around 20 students participate in this program.

“For two years, I came to the university and only interacted with students from my own group. I felt a lack of belonging. The moment I joined the Ambassadors community, I felt that I belonged and that I was truly seen.” - shared by a Bedouin student

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DONOR IMPACT ON RESEARCH EXCELLENCE

Building research capacity and capabilities is critical to BGU’s efforts to achieve its goal of becoming one of the world’s top research institutions and Israel’s leading university in terms of research, teaching, and contribution to society. It is also integral to fulfilling our strategy for achieving that goal. Each action that promotes a culture of research excellence dramatically improves BGU’s ability to become a talent magnet, capable of attracting the most promising faculty members, graduate students, and postdoctoral researchers. The red flags signifying the need for change at BGU were research-related: declining research outputs, international rankings, and external research funding, and great effort has been made to reverse these trends. These efforts are fueled by donors, whose support has enabled BGU to recruit outstanding new faculty members, equip their labs with state-of-the-art equipment, and provide the research infrastructure and resources they need to advance in their fields and thrive. The research performed at BGU is remarkably diverse, with a topic of interest for every potential donor. In addition to supporting individual research projects, research centers, equipment, and recruitment, through their support of the Way Forward Campaign, donors have also enabled a host of initiatives aimed at boosting research capacity, capabilities, and excellence. Such investment has high dividends, as each project supported drives more research, advancements, solutions, and technologies, ensuring long-term far-reaching impact. FACULTY RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION BGU’s ability to advance relies on the presence of top-notch faculty members capable of performing impactful high-quality research and sharing their expertise in the classroom,

where they inspire our students – Israel’s future leaders. These exceptional human resources are central to the fulfillment of BGU’s mission, contributing broadly to both academic and research excellence, and their recruitment has a domino effect; they attract promising postgraduate researchers and students, increase our ability to obtain competitive research grants, fuel collaboration, and boost the University’s international stature. Donors are critical to our recruitment and retention efforts, partnering with the University to help us recruit the most outstanding candidates. President’s Distinguished Faculty Recruitment Program Since the Way Forward Campaign was launched over 125 new researchers in diverse disciplines have been recruited across the University, among them four Distinguished Presidential Recruits, whose recruitment was directly facilitated with donor support. The President’s Distinguished Faculty Recruitment Program enables President Prof. Chamovitz to identify rising academic stars and provide the generous and competitive recruitment packages required to recruit them. This program has already enabled the recruitment of: Prof. Shira Chapman, the Carole and Marcus Weinstein Distinguished Presidential Recruit Dr. Eran Maniv, the Crown Family Distinguished Presidential Recruit Prof. Benjamin Palmer, the Nahum Guzik Distinguished Presidential Recruit Dr. Ilai Guendelman, the Diane and Guilford Glazer Distinguished Presidential Recruit These rising stars were on the radar of major universities around the world, and thus, BGU was not only competing with other Israeli universities for these young researchers – our competitors were among the best universities

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