New Academic Year Opens at Technion

The 2020-21 academic year opens at the Technion today (Wednesday) in the remote classroom, with a 20 percent rise in the number of students and an increase in the percentage of female students

The new academic year opened at the Technion in Israel, on Wednesday, October 21, 2020. This year is marked by a 20 percent increase in new students. Of the 9,300 students studying for their bachelor’s degree, over 40 percent are women. This year, 4,558 students will be studying at the Technion Irwin and Joan Jacobs Graduate School, of which 1,263 are for a Ph.D. and the rest for a Master’s degree.

Among the faculties and study tracks that saw a strong increase in admissions of undergraduate students are the Data Science and Engineering track at the William Davidson Faculty of Industrial Engineering and Management; the Faculty of Biomedical Engineering; the Faculty of Aerospace Engineering, the Henry and Marilyn Taub Faculty of Computer Science, and the Andrew and Erna Viterbi Faculty of Electrical Engineering.

In alignment with current guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health, Technion was obliged to continue online learning through virtual portals. Technion management has nevertheless defined the return to campus as a central goal, in the understanding that live activity, teaching, and research on campus are an essential component of the academic spirit.

17th Technion President Prof. Uri Sivan welcomed new and returning students and celebrated the opening of the new academic year. “The return of us all to campus is of vital importance, which far transcends our formal presence in the classroom and laboratory,” he said. “The direct encounter among students and between students and faculty is a substantial part of the academic experience. The various technological means, no matter how sophisticated, are helpful, but they cannot replace the direct interpersonal encounter on campus. Until we are able to return to the classroom, the lab, the learning environment, and campus life, we will continue to use remote learning platforms. We have made good use of the summer months to prepare for the resumption of studies, and have invested considerably in furnishing classrooms with advanced filming equipment and in preparing for the integration of on-campus studies and remote learning. We have also increased financial support for students through scholarships and special loans, and we are determined to make sure that the COVID-19 crisis does not disrupt the learning continuum of any of the Technion’s students.”

“I would like to welcome each and every one of you, and I wish you success and satisfaction in your studies”, said Dean of Undergraduate Studies, Prof. Hossam Haick. “Our primary goal here at the Technion is to equip you with the best tools to deal with the unknown by crafting your knowledge and developing your talents. The Technion has recently enhanced its teaching and learning approaches through the integration of remote learning technologies and face-to-face learning in classrooms on campus, to ensure that all students benefit from high-quality, fascinating classes, whether or not they are on campus.”

“We are here to help you realize your personal potential in your chosen field of study, particularly at this challenging time”, said Dean of Students, Prof. Ayelet Fishman. “The Dean’s office provides Technion students with broad support, including a variety of housing solutions in dormitories, economic aid, guidance, and help with studies through the Unit for the Advancement of Students, psychological services, career guidance, and a variety of culture and leisure activities.”

Prof. Fishman added that during the week, students will be returning to the dorms and that on-campus housing is in high demand. To protect the health of dorm residents and limit the spread of COVID-19 as much as possible, the Technion has made PCR swab testing stations available to students living in the dorms, where they can be tested free of charge and without a doctor’s referral.

“The Technion is an island of sanity in Israeli society, a model of coexistence”, said Chair of the Technion Student Association, Linoy Nagar Shaul. “A variety of services are available to students to help them accomplish their studies easily and successfully. The Student Association is doing everything to reconcile learning via Zoom with hybrid learning. I hope and believe that as soon as possible, all the great services that are offered to you on campus will reopen.”

Wishing you a good, productive, and successful school year!