BGU | PRESIDENT'S REPORT 2025

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PRESIDENT'S REPORT 2025

From the CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS

Dear friends and members of the Board of Governors, This past year has again been one of ongoing challenges and profound transformations. As the war in Israel continues and we experience upheavals in our own worlds elsewhere, we all feel anxiety and uncertainty about the future. Yet, we must not lose hope – because we have the power to make a difference. The future is in our hands. A year ago, in the aftermath of the October 7 attacks, the BGU community committed to a path of resilience and renewal. Today, we are more determined than ever to see Ben-Gurion University of the Negev be the center of the south and drive the future of the Negev. BGU was founded with the unique historic mandate to advance the Negev, and over the past five decades, in striving to fulfill our mission, we have achieved the remarkable on so many fronts. For me personally, there is no better example than this year’s celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Faculty of Health Sciences and its pioneering Joyce and Irving Goldman Medical School. I am proud of this legacy honoring my parents and humbled by the critical role we have played in ensuring equitable healthcare for the Negev’s diverse population and shaping medical education everywhere. Such achievements define our University and guide us forward. BGU’s involvement in rebuilding the Negev will be comprehensive, strategic, and leverage all our strengths in a concerted effort. The Board of Governors, through the newly established Negev Development Committee, chaired by longtime board member Dr. Esther Luzzatto and guided by Prof. Miki Malul, will play a key role in enabling the University’s strategy for the Negev going forward. We hope that every member of the BGU community — students, researchers, friends, supporters, and partners — will be involved in this concerted effort to extend our impact beyond the campus gates and serve as an engine of growth for all who call the Negev home. I especially urge all our board members to join the Negev Development Committee and become involved.

As always, we rely on the help of our global friends to advance our goals worldwide. Through The Way Forward campaign, our faithful donors have already demonstrated extraordinary generosity that has allowed us to effectively cope with the shock of October 7 and assist affected students and staff. The Halutz Initiative (now in its fourth year) and the Zin Fellows (now in its 12th year), have brought a new generation of leaders into our community, ensuring that our vision for the Negev will endure and evolve. We have made significant advances in realizing our strategic goals this past year: key buildings on the North Campus are nearing completion, expanding our capacity to educate and inspire our students who will change the world. The Beer-Sheva Innovation District, anchored by the University, is a transformative force in the region’s economy, creating new opportunities and strengthening the Negev’s role as a hub of technological and social innovation. I am proud and honored to lead the Board of Governors at this momentous time. I urge all our governors to take an active role in our efforts by joining the Board committees, which provide essential oversight and guidance to the University’s administration. Your expertise, insight, and dedication are invaluable assets in our shared mission. As a group, we have many diverse skills and voices. We are smart and have much to add to the “conversation.” I look forward to continuing to work with the University’s Executive Committee, our Board of Governors, and our global network of supporters as we continue to generate the future of the Negev together. Yours,

Lloyd Goldman