BEN-GURION UNIVERSITY | THE WAY FORWARD

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