2025 President's Report
Restoring Hope and Strength to the North
President’s Message
Dear Friends,
As I write these words, the State of Israel is contending with a multi-front war. The daily rocket fire continues to wreak havoc in and around Haifa, some landing scarily close to the University. This is the reality that we, the University community, has been living in since October 7, 2023. And within this tumult and uncertainty, I have had the honor and responsibility to serve as your President. Within that capacity, I present this update report to you in which I have highlighted seminal moments and achievements since the beginning of my tenure.
The war in the North and its devastating aftermath necessitated a shift in focus for the university. We quickly mobilized our academic and scientific expertise to address the region’s urgent needs.
Despite the challenges, the university remained operational, with classes resuming on Zoom at the start of the semester. We are devoted to playing a central role in rehabilitating the beautiful North, our home. You will find more about our efforts in the pages ahead, including faculty initiatives and our Home Again campaign, launched to support and strengthen our community in these challenging times.
One of the most exciting milestones of the past year is the approval of the Herta and Paul Amir School of Medicine by the Israeli Council for Higher Education. This is a historic moment, and as a historian, I do not take such moments lightly. Finally, after years of tireless efforts, the University of Haifa is establishing its own medical school – a gamechanger not just for the university but for northern Israel, where the shortage of physicians is particularly acute. This is a monumental step forward for our institution and the region.
Another major achievement is the successful integration of the Neri Bloomfield School of Design (WIZO) into the university. This was a complex logistical and administrative undertaking, but thanks to the dedication of our faculty and staff, the transition was seamless. As we’ve envisioned, the School of Design has already become an integral part of our academic landscape, enhancing our students’ educational experience.
This 53rd Meeting of the Board of Governors marks a significant transition, as Brad Bloom concludes his tenure as Chairman. A steadfast leader, a generous benefactor, and a true friend of the university, Brad has been a mentor and friend to me, always available with wise counsel and unwavering support. Over the past six years, his leadership has seen us through a global pandemic and a terrible war, always standing by us. While he is stepping down as Chairman, we look forward to his continued involvement in our community. The University of Haifa is deeply grateful for his vision, strength and generosity. Toda Brad!
Finally, I wish to convey my profound gratitude to all those who stand alongside me on this remarkable journey. To my exceptional management team, whose leadership helps propel the university forward; to our global community of supporters and friends, from Israel and around the world, who share our mission and invest in our future; to our academic faculty and staff, the backbone of our institution, whose commitment to excellence makes our achievements possible; and finally, to our students who have entrusted us with their education and dreams for the future.
Looking back, I am filled with pride. Looking ahead, I am filled with hope.
May all of our brothers and sisters held in captivity return home soon, in safety and in peace.
Prof. Gur Alroey
President
Message from the Chairman of the Board of Governors
Dear Governors,
While we continue to grapple with the profound impact of the war in Gaza, including the ongoing anguish over the hostages who remain there, as well as the many challenges unfolding across the globe, we now find ourselves facing a new and deeply serious escalation: a direct military confrontation with Iran.
Amid this turbulent reality, I am pleased to report that this past year has been a year of continuity and progress for the University of Haifa.
On the continuity front, the passing of the baton to our new University President, Prof. Gur Alroey, has brought not only stability but a renewed energy for the future. He is supported by our new Rector, Prof. Mouna Maroun, a long-standing member of the University community. I have enjoyed working with both of them over the past six years, and I am confident that they will lead our University with vision and determination.
Turning to progress, I am pleased to report that the University received formal approval from the government to open the new Herta and Paul Amir School of Medicine this coming fall. This is quite an accomplishment, as the initial request was made less than two years ago. The School is ready to open with leadership, faculty and students– an incredible testament to the University’s commitment and strong foundation in health sciences. The School of Medicine will not only add a significant STEM component to our academic structure, but will enhance healthcare access and equity in northern Israel.
One of Prof. Alroey’s first strategic decisions was to strengthen the University’s global outreach and development efforts. The appointment of Mr. Gideon Herscher as Vice President for Transformational Philanthropy and Global Resource Development is a significant step in that direction. Gideon joins us after a distinguished career at the Joint Distribution Committee, where he advanced global engagement and fundraising. While still early in his tenure, he is spearheading the Home Again campaign that will bring much needed assistance to residents and institutions of the North as they return home. I am encouraged to see such important initiatives take flight during my time at the helm of this truly inspiring University.
My six-year term as Chairman of the Board of Governors will conclude in June 2025, in keeping with the University’s term limits. I am delighted to report that I will be succeeded by Dr. Michal Amir Salkin from Los Angeles. Dr. Salkin brings to the position a unique and timely perspective, as she has served both as a physician and a faculty member. This is especially fitting, given the opening of the School of Medicine and the University’s growing presence in science and technology.
I would like to thank all who have contributed to the University’s growth and resilience during these challenging years. I have been incredibly impressed by the quality and energy of our faculty, administration, students and global supporters. I would especially like to acknowledge Prof. Ron Robin, Prof. Gur Alroey, Prof. Mouna Maroun and Adv. Dov Weissglas, Chair of our Executive Committee, for their exemplary leadership.
I look forward to seeing the results of these collective efforts in the years to come.
Sincerely,
Mr. Bradley M. Bloom
Chairman of the Board of Governors
Message from the Chairman of the Executive Committee
Dear Friends,
Israel is currently engaged in a battle against Iran to remove a threat to its very existence as a Jewish state.
Our resilience in this struggle rests on the extraordinary courage and commitment of tens of thousands of young men and women—in the air, on land, and at sea—who are performing remarkable acts each day.
Like David facing Goliath, it is the strength of the Israeli mind—our spirit of innovation and determination—that gives us our vital advantage.
This unique qualitative edge, which underpins Israel’s survival and hope for the future, has been made possible through the strength of Israeli academia, including the University of Haifa.
On behalf of the Executive Committee of the University of Haifa, we want to extend our deepest appreciation for your enduring friendship, partnership, and support of our beloved institution.
Your commitment helps us cultivate the human capital and excellence that is essential to building a future of peace, resilience, and continued prosperous life in Israel.
With deep gratitude,
Adv. Dov Weissglas
Chairman of the Executive Committee
Rector's Message
Dear Friends,
It is my great honor to address you at this defining moment for the University of Haifa – a time marked not only by exceptional growth, but also by profound challenges that continue to test our resilience and values. Over the past two years, and especially in recent months with the escalation of direct conflict with Iran, our academic community has been navigating uncertainty and hardship with courage and determination.
The war has disrupted the daily life of our University. Several of our faculty members remain stranded abroad, cut off from their students and labs, and forced to teach from afar. Many students continue their studies via Zoom, separated from their peers and campus life. And worst of all, we mourn the loss of one of our own – Shada Khateeb, a brilliant second-year law student who was killed by an Iranian missile together with her mother, sister and aunt. Shada dreamed of becoming a professor. Her future – like so many others – was stolen by hatred.
As the first Arab rector in Israel, I am deeply aware of the responsibility and opportunity this role holds. I believe that universities must not only pursue academic excellence but also embody the values of diversity, mutual respect, and shared society. In the wake of October 7th and the painful months that followed, I witnessed those core values come to life. Across our campuses, Jewish and Arab students, faculty, and staff returned to classrooms and labs – learning, teaching, and working side by side. These moments of resilience and unity were powerful reminders that the University is not just a place of knowledge, but a model for the society we strive to build.
Before becoming Rector, I served as Vice-President for Research and Development, and research remains at the heart of my vision. Together with our dedicated faculty and the Research Authority, we continue to expand the University’s research capabilities, secure prestigious national and international competitive grants, and establish new centers of excellence. I began my term while leading my own research group – having secured two major grants – a reflection of my belief in staying connected to the daily realities and aspirations of our academic community.
Moving forward, we aim to increase student enrollment and attract outstanding researchers by cultivating academic programs and a collaborative environment attuned to evolving national and global challenges and opportunities, laying the groundwork for long-term relevance and leadership.
This year, we have made remarkable strides in expanding the University’s academic landscape. Highlights include the launch of our new School of Medicine, which will train future physicians and researchers to serve diverse communities, and the integration of the School of Design, bringing new energy and collaborations in technology, design, and social impact.
As we continue to grow – expanding our research, welcoming more students, and extending our reach – we know that our strength lies in our unity and our shared commitment to building a better future for all. None of this could be possible without your ongoing support and belief in our mission. Together, we are shaping a stronger, more inclusive future – at the University, in Israel, and beyond.
With deep appreciation and warm regards,
Prof. Mouna Maroun
Rector
University of Haifa
UNIVERSITY OF HAIFA IN NUMBERS
Established in 1972
Campuses
Mt. Carmel
Lorry I. Lokey City
German Colony
-SCHOOL OF DESIGN
-CHARNEY SCHOOL OF MARINE SCIENCES
Faculties
-HERTA & PAUL AMIR FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES
-FACULTY OF SOCIAL WELFARE & HEALTH SCIENCES
-FACULTY OF HUMANITIES
-FACULTY OF NATURAL SCIENCES
-FACULTY OF LAW
-FACULTY OF EDUCATION
Marine Satellites
-MORRIS KAHN MARINE RESEARCH STATION (SDOT YAM)
-HATTER DEPARTMENT OF MARINE TECHNOLOGIES (HAIFA)
-ASHDOD FIELD STATION
-INTER-UNIVERSITY INSTITUTE FOR MARINE SCIENCES (EILAT)
Enrollment
STUDENTS
UNDERGRADUATE
PHD
*Post-doctoral fellows not included
MASTERS
TEACHING CERTIFICATE
Student Community
WOMEN
ARAB SOCIETY
FIRST-GENERATION UNIVERSITY STUDENT
IDF RESERVISTS OR THEIR SPOUSES
BA STUDENTS FROM LOW-INCOME BACKGROUNDS
HAREDIM
Source: Office of the Rector, 2025
Faculty & Staff
FACULTY MEMBERS
Senior Faculty: 712
Junior Faculty: 1,222
ADMINISTRATIVE &
SUPPORT STAFF
~75% Women
~25% Men
~14% Minority
FACULTY & STAFF
~64% Women
~36% Men
~12% Minority
*Minority groups include individuals from Arab Society, Ethiopian descent, the Orthodox community and those with disabilities.
Source: Division of Human Resources, 2024-25 Academic Year
Harnessing the Power of Science and Research to Rebuild Northern Israel
When Hezbollah rockets struck northern Israel in October 2023, 68,500 residents were displaced overnight. Over a year later, the region still bears deep scars—psychological trauma, economic loss, and an uncertain future. In response, the University of Haifa has launched the Home Again Campaign—a science- and research-driven initiative to help rebuild the region. Drawing on decades of regional engagement, the University is mobilizing its expertise to develop real-world solutions that restore ecosystems, care for the injured, and improve essential services.
The road ahead is difficult, but no one should have to walk it alone.
Join us in bringing the North home again. CONTINUE READING
Want to see the difference your support can make?
Watch the video to learn more >>>>>
New Foundations for Tomorrow’s Healthcare
At the Herta and Paul Amir School of Medicine, medical education begins where the need is greatest – and extends far beyond the classroom.
The blueprint is ready, and a long-anticipated step is taking shape in northern Israel: a new medical school with a national mission. The University of Haifa has been entrusted by the Israel Council for Higher Education to take a leading role in bringing academic strength to one of Israel’s most urgent healthcare challenges.
Breakthroughs Begin in the Lab
The new Laboratory Complex for our Faculty of Natural Sciences is designed to ignite global solutions in healthcare, neuroscience and environmental resilience.
To stay at the forefront of research, the University of Haifa is building a five-story research complex housing more than 20 specialized labs. At its core will be a Shared Resource Center, equipped with state-of-the-art technology to support advanced research across overlapping and interdisciplinary fields.
CONTINUE READING
Care Reimagined
A bold new center is shaping the future of nursing education and leadership in northern Israel
Our Faculty of Social Welfare and Health Sciences is spearheading an ambitious effort to redefine nursing education and elevate the role of nurses in Israel.
Leading this transformative shift is the Azrieli Advanced Nursing Center (ADVANCE) – a first of its-kind initiative supported by the Azrieli Foundation. The Center is setting the bar even higher by reimagining how nurses are trained, empowered, and integrated into a fast-changing healthcare system.
CONTINUE READING
Threads of Change
The University of Haifa’s new School of Design is already turning heads, winning awards, and shaping a bold vision of coexistence.
Some stories take time to unfold. This one began with a bold merger and an award-winning design project celebrating diversity. Earlier this year, the University of Haifa completed a historic merger with the renowned Neri Bloomfield School of Design (WIZO Haifa), creating the first university-based design school in Israel.
The new School of Design now brings together departments in fashion, visual communication, architecture, photography, and environmental design – fusing academic depth with artistic innovation and expanding hands-on learning opportunities across disciplines.
Honoring Visionary Leaders
The 2024/25 Recipients of the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Honoris Causa
Linda and Michael Frieze, Conferred March 6, 2025
Justice Esther Hayut, Conferred December 23, 2024
Jules and Eddie Trump, Conferred September 18, 2024
ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF HAIFA
The University of Haifa, perched atop the scenic Mount Carmel, blends
academic excellence with a deep commitment to social responsibility.
Our mission is to expand access to higher education, strengthen Israel’s underserved northern region, and transform innovative ideas
into real-world solutions for a better future.
Our collaborative, interdisciplinary culture drives breakthroughs in
healthcare, environmental sustainability, and community well-being.
For more information contact:
Mr. Gideon Herscher | gherscher@univ.haifa.ac.il
Vice President for Transformational Philanthropy and Global Resource Development
2025 PRESIDENT’S REPORT
Produced by the Division of External Relations
© June 2025 University of Haifa
Mount Carmel, Haifa ISRAEL
www.haifa.ac.il
Photography: University of Haifa Archives, American Friends of University of Haifa, Itai Bodel, and Manara Center.