Hebrew University has opened its doors to a new school year, marked by growth and renewal.
Over 900 new courses will be launched this year, offering students a large variety of new fields of study. The following are among the new and interesting courses that are being offered:
- Neuro-therapy: using video games and computer technology in rehabilitation, Hebrew University Hadassah School of Occupational Therapy
- Contentions in Israeli Society: An Active Journey, Department of International Relations
- The Politics of Populism, in the Faculty of Social Science
This year, the University is proud to welcome 48 new researchers and lecturers, will begin teaching, and developing research programs at Hebrew University.
3 new study programs:
- For the first time, Undergraduate students will be able to take part in a unique program called Internet and Society, of the Faculty of Social Science, in collaboration with The Rachel and Selim Benin School of Computer Science and Engineering. This program will engage students in the implications that occur in technology, communications and social media, as well as the effect these changes have on everyday life. The goal of this program is to impart the students with extensive knowledge in the fields of technology, analytical, social, economic and legal aspects, along with practical tools that will assist in understanding the evolution of society and technology.
- An Inter-University program in Chemistry and Material Engineering has opened at Hebrew University in cooperation with Azrielli College.
- Sephardi and Oriental Jewish Heritage, a program of the Faculty of Humanities will be offered for the first time in the master's degree track.
Significant increase in the amount of students:
- A rise in the number of students in the experimental sciences this current year.
- 25% increase in the number of students enrolled in the Rachel and Selim Benin School of Computer Science and Engineering
- 18% increase in the collaborated program of Physics and Chemistry
- 32% increase in Amirim, Interdisciplinary Honors Program in the Humanities
- 21% increase in the Statistics Department
- 17% increase in the Math Department
- 21% increase in the number of students of the University in total
- 21% increase in the number of students enrolled in the Musicology Department
- 11% increase in Department of Asian Studies
- 17% in the Seymour Fox School of Education and 19% increase in Department of General and Comparative Literature
- 14% increase in the interdisciplinary program, PEP (Philosophy, Economics, Political Science)
- 11% increase in the The Baerwald School of Social Work and Social Welfare
- 10% increase in the Department of Economics
- 32% increase in the number of students accepted to the School of Pharmacy
- 3% increase in the number of students accepted and enrolled In M.A. programs this year.
English Studies Unit
Starting this year, five English-studies units will begin in the Seymour Fox School of Education, The institute of Chemistry, School of Business administration, Faculty of Social and Humanitarian Sciences. These units will offer courses in English as part of a project that encourages improvement in language skills. Additionally, there is an increase in student exchange program General or Social Sciences cooperating with leading universities such as Yale, Princeton, Chicago, Cambridge and Oxford. These programs provide an excellent opportunity for students to improve their skills in English, as well as enabling joint study between the Israeli and foreign students at Hebrew University.
The University as the pioneer of economic growth for the City of Jerusalem
- Hebrew University's economic contribution was measured in 2016 in the sum of 2,406,492,978 shekels which constitutes 12.7% of the financial income of workers in Jerusalem, and 6.8% of the total income of households in Jerusalem.
- The number of employees at the university is approximately 3,900- a number which is 1.6% of the total income of workers in Jerusalem.
- Of the 23,000 Students who study at Hebrew University, 70% hail from outside Jerusalem. These students contribute to the economic system as a result of the money spent on rent, employment, and other expenses which contribute to the Jerusalem economy.
The First Year Not Alone Project
First year not alone, a collaboration with the Student Union, is a mentoring program designed to ease the transition of first year students into the world of academia.
In this program, every first year student joins a group of 15 new students from the same department. Every group is mentored by a veteran student from the same department, who provides personal and general assistance to the new students Support for the students, already starts before they arrive to the campus. The mentor reaches out to them, and then during orientation, the mentor invites the students to get to know their fellow students. The goal of the program is that the new students will receive support and consultation from someone experienced, in addition to being acquainted with other new students before the beginning of the school year.
Fun Fact:
The oldest and most prestigious student in the University is Chaim Shasha, 89 years old from Jerusalem who has acquired 2 bachelor degrees and four (!!!) master's degrees. This year Chaim is planning on beginning his seventh degree at Hebrew University.