BGU | PRESIDENT'S REPORT 2023

Prof. LIMOR DANIEL AHARONSON

VICE PRESIDENT FOR GLOBAL ENGAGEMENT

Photo: Avivit Isaacson

enrich course offerings in English, and integrate an intercultural dimension into those courses. The first two years of this decade were marred by the COVID-19 pandemic, which changed the face of higher education in general and international education in particular. Summer programs were canceled, peer visits were postponed. At BGU, we used the time to rethink our strategy. Several insights gained during the pandemic will guide us in the upcoming years. Despite the restrictions on air travel, quarantines, and other challenges during the pandemic, a greater number of students came to BGU to participate in long-term programs. In 2022, we had the highest ever number of international master’s and PhD students. IN 2022, WE HAD THE HIGHEST EVER NUMBER OF INTERNATIONAL MASTER’S AND PHD STUDENTS. Global engagement is an ongoing process, meaning that the results are not immediately or directly evident. From 2017, Israel's Council of Higher Education (CHE) budgeting committee designated a budget for internationalization of the Israeli higher education system based on key performance indicators. We were able to secure funds based on a detailed annual strategic and performance plan and used them to create new activities and programs. Unfortunately, the CHE announced that, in the future, it will be reallocating this funding to

The Office of the Vice President for Global Engagement is responsible for formulating and setting policy for BGU's internationalization. Under the Office, BGU International supports the University's international academic affairs strategy. This is one aspect of the University’s strategic plan to become one of the world’s leading academic institutions, a plan set in motion a decade ago. To reach this goal, BGU has had to strengthen its English infrastructure in all University systems and documents,

A decade of international students at BGU (2013-2023)

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Ben-Gurion University of the Negev