BEN-GURION UNIVERSITY | THE WAY FORWARD

renewable energy companies, while others are pursuing doctoral degrees. By educating and empowering the next generation of changemakers, the program is building a growing network of professionals committed to advancing the sustainability, resilience, and prosperity of communities across Africa. Donor support enabled the program’s successful launch in 2021, with funds specifically allocated for the program’s operation and comprehensive fellowship packages for some eligible African The MBAI certification program was launched this year by the INSTITUTE to address a significant gap in the Israeli economy: the shortage of managers, decision-makers, and developers capable of meaningfully integrating AI into real-world systems. The program, which is Israel’s first certification program of its kind, adds a critical layer to management studies, building AI literacy and equipping students with essential knowledge and skills. Over 40 students from the Guilford Glazer Faculty of Business and Management enrolled in the program during its inaugural year. In addition to their regular MBA courses, the students take three specialized courses, each of which focuses on a different aspect of integrating AI into management. Those who complete the program will receive a certificate from the INSTITUTE and professional certification from NVIDIA, in addition to their master’s degree, giving our graduates a competitive advantage in the job market. In addition to responding to the needs of both the country and our students, the launch of the MBAI certification program positions BGU and the Guilford Glazer Faculty of Business and Management at the forefront of management education in the AI age. Artificial Intelligence Undergraduate Degree Program A new AI undergraduate degree program will be launched in 2026-27 to meet the demand for professionals in this critical field. Students will benefit from the diverse expertise of the Stein Faculty of Computer and Information Science’s faculty members and AI researchers. students in its first few years. MBAI Certification Program

The program will provide a solid theoretical foundation in computer science, math, machine learning, and statistics, as well as practical experience, exposing students to advanced technological tools and state-of-the-art developments in deep learning, generative models, natural language processing, and computer vision. The courses will ensure that graduates can not only use AI tools, but can also understand the scientific principles behind them, and are capable of developing the next gen technologies in the field, leading research, and driving innovation in industry and academia. To support the computational demands of this domain, the University has placed unique teaching and research infrastructure at the program’s disposal: a high-performance GPU based computing cluster that enables the training and running of advanced models and the analysis of large-scale databases in real time and an applied robotics laboratory for the development, implementation, and testing of algorithms in real-world environments. The opportunity to participate in research collaborations with leading technology companies will enhance students’ educational experience, providing valuable exposure to the challenges faced by industry today. Renewable Natural Resources Undergraduate Degree Program BGU is launching a pioneering, science-driven degree program designed to equip the next generation of experts with the practical tools required to solve urgent global challenges like water scarcity, climate change, and resource management. The new renewable natural resources degree program focuses on understanding, protecting, and responsibly managing the natural systems that sustain life. The program provides a strong foundation in the natural sciences to prepare students for high-impact careers in research, industry, and public policy. This is BGU’s first undergraduate degree taught entirely in English, and the first cohort will consist of both Israeli and international students. The program will be based at the Sylvan Adams Campus in Sde Boker, which serves as a unique

43