BEN-GURION UNIVERSITY | THE WAY FORWARD

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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