Former German Chancellor Dr. Angela Merkel Visits the Technion

Last week, former German Chancellor Dr. Angela Merkel visited the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology — four years after receiving an honorary doctorate from the University. The degree was conferred in 2021 by Technion President Prof. Uri Sivan, in recognition of her “steadfast and consistent support for the State of Israel, for science and education in general, and for scientific collaboration between Germany and Israel in particular; for her uncompromising fight against antisemitism and racism; and for being an inspiring example of rare leadership, wisdom, and humanity.”

Dr. Merkel, born in 1954, holds a Ph.D. in quantum chemistry from the German Academy of Sciences in Berlin. The meeting with her at the David and Janet Polak Visitors Center was attended by members of the Technion management, including Senior Executive Vice President Prof. Danny Raz; Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Prof. Oded Rabinovitch; Executive Vice President and Director General Dr. Rafi Aviram; Vice President for Research Prof. Noam Adir; Vice President for Innovation and Industry Relations Prof. Yuval Garini; Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion Prof. Adi Salzberg; and Director of Resource Development Dr. Reda Mansour.

“The honorary doctorate ceremony was held at the time in Jerusalem,” said Prof. Danny Raz, “and the former Chancellor promised then that she would visit the Technion. I’m glad that this has now become possible. Dr. Merkel was very interested in student life on campus, the research being conducted here, and the Technion’s academic and research collaborations with universities in Europe – especially in Germany.”

At the end of the meeting, as a gesture honoring the long-standing relationship between Germany and the Technion, Prof. Raz presented Dr. Merkel with a replica of a historic 1924 document signed by the founders of the German Friends of the Technion Association – the first such society in the world – led by Prof. Albert Einstein.

Following her meeting with the Technion management, the former Chancellor met with Jewish and Arab students from Israel and with students from Germany. She showed great interest in the challenges of studying and conducting research during wartime, amid frequent reserve duty, and in the shared campus life of Jews and Arabs. She was pleased to hear from the students that the Technion campus is a safe space for them and that it served as an anchor during difficult times. Dr. Merkel wished them success in science and in life and wished the State of Israel a bright future.

At the conclusion of her visit, Dr. Merkel toured the Electron Microscopy Center at the Faculty of Materials Science and Engineering, guided by Dr. Michael Krüger of the Faculty of Physics. She met researchers who presented several of their latest scientific innovations as part of a discussion on the development of quantum science – a field in which Dr. Merkel is well-versed.

Photo credit: Rami Shlush, Technion Spokesperson’s Office