BGU | PRESIDENT'S REPORT 2025

20

BEN-GURION UNIVERSITY OF THE NEGEV

BGU IN

WARTIME

116 MEMBERS OF THE BGU FAMILY* HAVE BEEN MURDERED OR FALLEN IN BATTLE SINCE OCTOBER 7

Noa Argamani , the BGU student who was kidnapped into Gaza by Hamas at the Nova Music Festival, was rescued alongside three other hostages on June 8, 2024. Her boyfriend, Avinatan Or , a graduate of BGU, remains a hostage in Gaza.

Alexander (Sasha) Trufanov , a BGU alumnus, was released in an exchange in February 2025. During the 2023-24 academic year, dedicated social workers at the Dean of Students Office provided close support to 361 students who were directly affected by the October 7 events. These included survivors of the Nova music festival and other parties, students who lost close family members, evacuees, wounded and others. For further details, see page 26. During the current academic year, the Office continues to support over 600 students. A total of 181 BGU students who served for more than 235 days in the IDF reserves during the 2023-24 academic year received special scholarships in recognition of their contribution while pursuing their academic studies. Each was awarded a $1,000 scholarship. About 230 additional scholarships will be given to reservists this year, generously donated by BGU supporters in the US and France.

The University’s memorial for Fallen Soldiers and Victims of Terrorism. Campus sign

welcoming Noa Argamani home

* Students, faculty, staff, and their first degree relatives, as well as alumni.