BEN-GURION UNIVERSITY | THE WAY FORWARD

this cutting-edge field, exposing them to the challenges that different patient communities cope with and encouraging them to develop tailor-made solutions. Equipped with the knowledge, tools, and resources to quickly iterate on innovative R&D to reach a viable proof-of-concept or minimal viable product, the hub also serves as a platform for spin-off ventures emerging from neuroscience research. The hub is also laying the groundwork for a new discipline in Israel, neural engineering, a field that actively engages with the brain (down to the synaptic level) to better understand and treat neurological disorders using invasive and non-invasive brain imaging and stimulation. The hub was founded with donor support, which has also led to the establishment of the Lewis and Ina Heafitz Neurotech Collaboration, a collaborative two-week summer course held with Brown University, which exposes students to neurotechnology through lectures and hands-on practical projects and provides a cultural and academic exchange opportunity for American and Israeli students. Negev Urban Research Lab Established in collaboration with MIT and the Shamoon College of Engineering, the Negev Urban Research (NUR) Lab designs, prototypes, and tests new technologies, tools, and

methods to advance understanding of urban environments, inform urban planning and the design of more livable, sustainable, equitable, and resilient cities, and explore spatial and urban issues. The state-of-the-art lab serves as a collaborative platform for urban research and planning, enabling direct engagement with local municipalities, government ministries, and other regional stakeholders. It is involved in a wide range of projects, including the Ministry of Heritage’s Consensus Space initiative aimed at the rehabilitation, preservation, and shaping of collective memory in the region affected by the events of October 7th. Donor support has advanced the lab’s development and projects like this. AI for Social Welfare Lab The AI for Social Welfare Lab harnesses AI, machine learning, and big-data analytics to address complex social challenges and improve outcomes for vulnerable populations. Bringing together experts in social work, data science, health, education, and public policy, the lab develops innovative, ethically responsible AI applications that emphasize fairness, privacy, transparency, and reliability while translating complex data into practical solutions for policymakers and service providers. Following the October 7th Hamas attack, when thousands

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