The prestigious list was published in the MIT Technology Review

“Over the years we have chronicled success in the selection of women and men whose inventions and companies they established have made a deep impact on the different trends in human society,” said Jason Pontin, publisher and Editor in Chief. “Previous winners include Larry Page and Sergey Brin, the cofounders of Google; Mark ­Zuckerberg, the cofounder of Facebook; Jonathan Ive, the chief designer at Apple; and David Karp, founder of Tumblr. We are proud of all our nominees and the range of achievements they have made, and are proud to add Kira to this distinguished list.”

Dr. Radinsky began her studies at Technion at age 15, joined Technion’s Excellence Program and completed three degrees under the tutelage of Professor Shaul Markovitch from the Faculty of Computer Science. During her studies, she developed a new prediction method that can foresee events with 80% accuracy. This was done by means of scanning literature written over the last 500 years, including all the materials published in the New York Times from 1880 onwards, and finding strong correlations between various events.  Among other findings, she discovered that the combination of droughts and storms is a good indicator to a potential cholera outbreak. Today, Kira networks with genocide prevention organizations and medical organizations for the purposes of implementing her research findings and provide potential solutions for suffering populations.

In the course of her studies, Dr. Radinsky went to work at the Microsoft Research Division in the US, headed by Eric Horvitz, and worked there with him and Susan Dumais.  Eventually, she went on to found SalesPredict with Yaron Zakai-Or, which has already raised one million dollars. SalesPredict provides predictive analysis to foretell sales expectations, and some of its clients have already effectively grown their sales potential.

Dr. Radinsky’s research earned her awards from numerous organizations, including Google, Yahoo and Facebook.

“Kira is a brilliant researcher gifted with unique skills which support her inclusion on this list,” said Professor Shaul Markovitch from the Faculty of Computer Science at Technion. “Kira possesses intense intellect, creativity and curiosity – a rare combination typical of outstanding inventors. In her doctoral study, she tackled a problem that seemed to be unsolvable with the tools currently available – the development of algorithms capable of accurately predicting global events through the use of vast reservoirs of web-based information sources. Her boldness for taking on such a problem and scientific competence that demonstrated her successful solution is what brought her to be included on this list.”

Dr. Kira Radinsky said today in response to the publication: “This is a great honor for me to be nominated to the list of “young innovators” of MIT. I hope that it will encourage more Israeli researchers and scholars to study this field, to facilitate the building of an empirical superpower in Israel.”

Above: Dr. Kira Radinsky. Photographed by: Technion Spokesperson’s Office

This week, FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Israel became the leading pre-university program of Technion. The agreement, signed by Technion President, Professor Peretz Lavie, and the Chairman of FIRST Israel, Lieutenant General (retired) Avihu Ben Nun, specifies that the program will become an official educational project of the Technion.

FIRST is an international non-profit organization that hosts competitions and events in the area of robotics. Its mission is to motivate teenagers to engage in science, engineering and technology. The organization was established over twenty years ago by Segway inventor and founder Dean Kamen, an advocate for encouraging curiosity and exposure of youth to the challenges facing the engineering and scientific world.

FIRST initiatives in Israel began nine years, and since its founding has received support by the Technion and partially by the Israel Technion Society (ITS). Today, Technion has given the program its full patronage.

Over the past year, some 250,000 students participated in a variety of FIRST programs across the world, including 5,000 Israeli students between the ages of 6-18 years. These students were exposed to the fascinating world of science and technology through various robot building competitions.

Technion President Professor Peretz Lavie, welcomed the initiative and said, “Technion is the natural place for students interested in pursuing and advancing in the fields of engineering, technology and science.”

For more information on FIRST programs in Israel, see: www.firstisrael.org.il

For FIRST programs around the world see: www.usfirst.org

Students at a FIRST Israel Robotics program. Photographed by Avishy Finklestien and FIRST Israel

In computer science, Technion is #18 in the world and #1 in Israel

The Technion is among the 100 best universities worldwide, and #18 in computer science, according to the Shanghai ranking of universities, considered the world’s most reliable and comprehensive ranking system.

According to the The Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU), conducted by researchers at the Center for World-Class Universities of Shanghai Jiao Tong University:

• In Natural Sciences and Mathematics (SCI), the Technion is ranked #38. The Hebrew University is in 40^th place, and the Weizmann Institute of Science is ranked between 51 to 75. Harvard University placed first in SCI.
• In Engineering/Technology and Computer Sciences (ENG), Technion is in 46^th place, and is the only Israeli university to place in the top 100 in the field of engineering. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) topped the global list.
• In the field of computer science, the Technion is ranked #18 in the world, only one of two universities outside of North America to make the top 20 in this field. The Weizmann Institute of Science is ranked #23 in computer science, and the Hebrew University is #28.
• In the overall global ranking, Technion is in 77^th place. Last year it was in 78^th place.

Following the publication of the 2013 ARWU, Technion President, Professor Peretz Lavie, said, “Indices and ratings should be treated with caution, especially when a fraction of a point either way can change the rankings of a university from year to year. Nonetheless, the Shanghai Ranking is the leading academic ranking of world universities and there is no doubt that it flatters Israeli science. The fact that it lists three Israeli universities in its top 100 list while including only four from countries such as France, Germany, Switzerland, and Canada, points to the quality of science in Israel and its world status. I am especially thrilled that Technion has been placed among the elite institutes in the fields of engineering and science, especially in computer science. It is critically important to ensure the continued advancement Israeli research universities.”

August 1^st, 2013, Haifa, Israel. Sealantis Ltd., a private start-up, from the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology that develops alga-mimetic tissue adhesives, reports that it has received the CE Mark for Seal-V^TM, its vascular sealant. Seal-V^TM is a protein-free bioresorbable sealant, intended to achieve hemostasis by mechanically sealing areas of potential leakage in surgical reconstruction of large blood vessels such as the carotid, femoral, brachial and iliac arteries.

Seal-V^TM commences a new generation in tissue sealing. Being alga-mimetic it has an intrinsic ability to bind strongly to both native blood vessels and synthetic grafts, even in wet and moist conditions. In addition, the protein-free composition relieves Seal-V^TM from risks associated with the use of protein-based products. Unlike hemostats, which are designed to cause blood to clot, Seal-V^TM is not dependent on the presence of blood in order to be effective, and can be used as a prophylactic sealant.

“We are excited to be able to introduce Seal-V^TM to the European market and to provide surgeons with a new and better option for controlling bleeding from suture-lines.” says Mr. Tomer Fuchs, Sealantis CEO. Mr. Fuchs recently joined Sealantis, after serving over two decades in lead executive positions in global companies including Medtronic Ventor, Anorad and Vishay.

“Sealantis has been working closely with surgeons to leverage the extraordinary capabilities of its alga-mimetic technology and design products that will be strongly positioned in the multibillion dollars market of wound closure.” Says Dr. Zeev Gilkis, Sealantis Chairman.

In addition to Seal-V^TM, Sealantis has a pipeline of advanced solutions for a variety of clinical needs. Among them is a gastro-intestinal sealant, designed to prevent leakage of intestinal content from anastomoses, a potentially fatal complication of GI surgery; an adhesive for space obliteration in esthetic surgeries, which can significantly reduce the recovery time from face and body lifts and innovative combination devices for site-specific drug delivery.

Sealantis is currently working on strategic partnerships towards the coming market launch of Seal-V^TM.

…………………………………………………………………………………………

About Sealantis Ltd.

Sealantis Ltd. is developing a proprietary platform of alga-mimetic tissue adhesives, for a variety of applications and clinical needs in surgical leakage control, tissue adhesion and drug delivery. The Sealantis adhesives are protein-free, and have an extraordinary ability to adhere strongly to internal tissues even in wet environments. Sealantis was founded in 2007 by Prof. Havazelet Bianco-Peled from the Technion, and is funded by the Alfred Mann Institute at the Technion (AMIT).

They will take part in the Science-Engineering Summer Course supported by the Planning and Budgeting Committee of the Council for Higher Education

In addition to their studies at Technion, the students will also tour Israel’s major tourist sites, dabble in entrepreneurship, visit at Israeli high-tech companies, take a history course on Israel and the Middle East, learn about Israeli culture, and meet with Israeli writers and opinion leaders.

“I welcome the arrival of the students to Technion and the start of the Summer Course,” said Ariel Geva, Managing Director of the Technion International School. “The delay in the issuance of visas for the students was caused by employee sanctions at the Foreign Ministry last month,” he explains. “The Technion administration made great efforts with the various ministries to make possible the arrival of the students to Technion. I am confident that the students will enjoy their time in Israel and will serve as good-will ambassadors of the university and Israel in their home countries.”

Professor Anat Rafaeli, the Deputy Head of the International School and Deputy SVP for International Academic Relations at Technion, added, “The Summer Courseis an excellent opportunity for us to meet excellent students from India and China, and appeal to their interest in wanting to pursue advanced studies at Technion.

The students arrived to Israel with the support from the PBC (Planning & Budgeting Committee of the Council for Higher Education), which provided them with scholarships aimed at strengthening the connection between Israel and their home countries. In total, 210 students from China and India came to Israel to study at Israeli universities as part of this unique summer program.

Above: The students with the israeli author Eshkol Nevo. Photograph by Moran Maayan, Technion Spokesperson

62 Chinese top managers to participate at Technion’s Innovations workshop this week

Guests will hear lectures on the topic of innovation by leading academic experts, and will participate on industrial visits to leading Israeli companies including: Iscar, Amiad Water Systems, Biosense Webster, Stratasys, NaanDanJain Irrigation and Gilat Satellite Networks.

“Attending this workshop are senior managers and executives from mid-sized companies from all over China with a financial turnover of about $10 million dollars,” says Prof. Miriam Erez, 2005 Israel Prize recipient who heads the Knowledge Center for Innovation. She also mentioned that, “These companies are looking for added value in Israeli technology, and its representatives have come to this workshop to learn the secrets of Israeli innovation.”

Technion President Prof. Peretz Lavie welcomed the business delegation, and briefed them on Technion’s history and its great contribution to the Israeli economy. “Globalization is one of Technion’s strategic goals,” said Prof. Lavie. “In 2009 we opened an International School at the university that attracts excellent students from all over the world, among them many Chinese students. We have laboratories in Singapore, and in New York we have opened the Jacobs Technion-Cornell Innovation Institute. Cooperation with the Chinese people is important to us.”

During their visit, the business delegates will meet with the Chinese Ambassador to Israel, H.E. Gao Yanping, along with Israeli government officials and business executives from around the country, including representatives from the Haifa municipality and the Haifa Economic Corporation. They will hear lectures by the former Minster of Science, Prof. Daniel Hershkowitz, Prof. Shlomo Maital, former Chief Scientist Dr. Eli Opper, and additional entrepreneurs and Israeli industry leaders of innovation.

The workshop will be held in cooperation with Shengjing, a business consulting firm from Beijing.

Above: Technion President Prof. Peretz Lavie with the head of the Chinese delegation, Mr. Chen Yong. Photographed by: Shiatzo Photography Services, Technion Spokesperson’s Office

A mixture of languages and students from around the world greeted the unique graduation ceremony that took place at the beginning of the week at the Zielony Student Union Building on campus: The awarding of degrees to the first graduating class of the Technion International School.

The Technion International School was established in 2009, and this week the first cohort of 12 students completed their four-year degrees.  In a dignified and moving ceremony, attended by Technion President Professor Peretz Lavie and Professor Daniel Hershkowitz, former Minister of Science, BSc degrees in civil and environmental engineering were awarded to 12 new graduates who came to study at Technion from across the world: India, Spain, USA, Peru, Italy, Venezuela, China, Albania, France, Israel and South Africa. The ceremony was attended by the new graduates and their families, senior Technion administration, and international students from the Technion International School.

Eight of the new graduates will pursue graduate studies: four of them at Technion and the other four at leading universities in Britain and the US.

“I was among the first students at Technion International School, and graduating today is very exciting,” remarked Akshay Vajpayee who comes from India. “I chose to study at Technion because I heard about the university when I was in India. I knew that here I will learn from engineers who built a country. In India, Israel is considered a dangerous country. But when I arrived here I found a secure and comfortable environment, even more so than India. The meeting of cultures at the School was very special and benefited me a lot. Suddenly I have friends from all over the world, coming from diverse cultures and countries. My studies at Technion equipped me with academic tools to handle any future challenge, and prepared me for a chance to study at Stanford University.”

Shayma Sharif is a Palestinian from Beit Hanina. “Education was always first priority at home,” she said. “All of my brothers and sisters were sent to a Catholic school in Beit Hanina although we are Muslim, because my parents wanted us to get a better education.” Shayma is proud to be a Technion student. “Whenever people hear about where I’m studying they tell me, ‘Wow, you’re a Technion student,’ and it’s an amazing feeling. Also my relationships with professors here is excellent; their doors are always open to us.  It was hard for me to get used to calling them by their first name, but that’s how it is in Israel.”

Over the years Shayma went through some ups and downs, but she never felt lost within the system. “At the Technion I met the beautiful side of Israel,” she stated. “And at the International School I had a feeling of being exposed to the world – close to home.”

Alex Bouaziz is the youngster of the group, who came to Technion from France. At age four he could already read and write Hebrew and French, and at age five could do multiplication and division. At school he advanced quickly and completed his formal education at age 16. “As a practicing Jew in Paris I felt fearful,” he said. “I came to study at Technion International partly because of this but mainly because of Zionism. In addition, I wanted to study at an excellent engineering school. My experience here has been wonderful. I benefited from a supportive environment and made good friendships. In Paris I never had non-Jewish friends and here in Israel I’ve made several.”

“This has been a great experience for Alex, and he really matured. The International School met all our expectations,” added Alex’s father, Philip, who came to the graduation ceremony from France. “Since my son was part of the school’s first program, we at first felt that it was a bit of a gamble for us, and I’m thankful that this gamble was such a success. For Alex, this was the right school at the right time for him, and I’m so proud of him.”

The rest of Alex’s family has followed in his footsteps. His sister Chloe has started her studies at Technion this week, and his youngest sisters have already started studying at schools in Tel Aviv. “My Mom is travelling back and forth, and my father comes often,” explains Alex. “Life in Israel is better compared to Paris. Studies at Technion have been tough and I had to work very hard (although I’m somewhat lazy), but the results have been very good and the experience was wonderful.” Alex has been accepted to graduate studies at MIT.

At the ceremony, Professor Arnon Bentur, Technion’s Executive Vice President and Director General and founder of the Technion International School, welcomed the new graduates and wished them all the best: “Last year Technion celebrated its centennial and we looked towards the future. Today we are dealing with the challenges of the 21st century, among them globalization. The foundation of the International School is a strategic step that will bring to Technion excellent students from all corners of the world.”

Technion President Professor Peretz Lavie stated, “The graduation ceremony of the first graduating class of Technion International is a dream come true. You are all success stories, and have become a part of Technion history. From today you’ll be Technion’s good-will ambassadors abroad.”

Former Minister of Science, Professor Daniel Hershkowitz said, “The language of science bridges differences in culture and language. The establishment of Technion International is the fulfillment of a vision and a model. It is exciting to see students from different countries learning together, where the common language is the language of science.”

Professor Amnon Katz, Academic Head of the Technion International School, and Professor Noah Galil, the Dean of the Technion’s Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering, awarded the diplomas to the graduates, along with hard hats worn at construction sites. “Four years ago, the Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering was the first at Technion to integrate students from the International School, said Professor Galil. “Today, I wouldn’t be able to recognize the faculty without these (international) students.”

“We were the first class of the International School, a melting pot of students from a variety of cultures from around the world,” said David Debash from Italy, who was class valedictorian. “It took us a while to get to know each other and bond as a group, but today we are a family. In the name of the students of the first graduating class I thank Technion for this unforgettable period.”

The Technion International School was founded in 2009, and its academic programs are taught entirely in English as it is geared for international students. Today, approximately 108 students study in the BSc program for Civil and Environmental Engineering, half of whom come from developed countries while the other half are from countries with emerging economies, like China. Further to this four-year BSc program, the International School also offers short-term international programs in English at a number of faculties, such as semester abroad, summer school, and graduate studies. To date there are some 300 students enrolled in these programs.

The Academic Head of the School, Professor Amnon Katz, summed it up in the following words: “Half of the graduates are students who have made both the President’s List and the Dean’s List, thus reflecting the realization of the school’s vision of attracting outstanding candidates from around the world. Good luck to you all.”