About HU
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About HU
The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, founded in 1918 and opened officially in 1925, is Israel’s premier university as well as its leading research institution. The Hebrew University is ranked internationally among the 100 leading universities in the world and first among Israeli universities.
The recognition the Hebrew University has attained confirms its reputation for excellence and its leading role in the scientific community. It stresses excellence and offers a wide array of study opportunities in the humanities, social sciences, exact sciences, and medicine.
The European Desk, Division for Advancement and External Relations
The European Desk is part of the Division for Advancement and External Relations and is responsible for coordinating HU philanthropic and social activities through the Friends Associations in Europe. Throughout the European Desk we keep in touch with our circles of friends, supporters, and generous donors to achieve our shared goals. We welcome them to the campuses throughout the year during the Board of Governors, donor recognition ceremonies, inaugurations, Yong leadership Missions, and private visits.
The Hebrew University is and always will be a second home for our friends. Join us!
The year was 1918. The first foundation stone was laid. For many years, the dream of a university in the future State of Israel percolated throughout Europe amongst some of the world’s greatest thinkers: Einstein, Buber, Bialik, Weizmann, and Freud just to name a few. Finally, that dream became a reality. In 1925 the doors opened, igniting generations of creative thinkers and innovators.
For the first time in history, the establishment of a university set the stage for the creation of a state. Einstein foresaw that the success of the state would be dependent on its ability to produce a cadre of intellectuals and experts. Lawyers, doctors, philosophers, and scientists contributed their knowledge and ingenuity to form the backbone of the University, ultimately creating the blueprint for a nation.
In the decades that followed, Hebrew University, true to Einstein’s vision, rose swiftly through the ranks and gained international recognition. Today, the Hebrew University stands as one of the best and most innovative research institutions in the world. It is home to inspirational educators who provide us with knowledge about the world around us, and brilliant scientists who create cutting-edge innovations that improve our quality of life. The Hebrew University is actively fulfilling the dream of Einstein and other leaders who dared to imagine creating a thriving Jerusalem and a vibrant Israel, and to find solutions to the world’s most complex problems.
The Hebrew University’s work impacts people across the globe: from the clean water we drink to the medicine we take, to the car safety system that helps us get home from work. While we may not realize it, the Hebrew University is always playing a part in our lives.
The Hebrew University in Numbers
Students
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23,300 Students
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12,040 Undergraduates
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6,141 Master students
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2,253 Doctoral students
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301 Mechina (preparatory programme)
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1,339 International students
Teaching
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6 Campuses
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7 Faculties
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14 Schools
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315 Departments
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983 Faculty members
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1,300 Researchers
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5,789 Courses
Research
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>100 Research centres
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4,000 Research projects
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6 Affiliated medical institutes
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43% of Israel’s biotech research
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Israel’s leading centre of academic and scientific research
Technology Transfer
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56 Years of transferring technologies
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10,750 Patents
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3,030+ Inventions
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1,050+ Licenced technologies
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170 Spin-off companies
Global Reach
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600 Academic agreements in 57 countries
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220 Student exchange programmes with 259 institutions in 41 countries
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2,500 Students attend the Rothberg International School annually
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105 Competitive research grants from the European Research Council since 2007 valued at €190m
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598 Post-doctoral candidates from 20+ countries
Being a leading research and science institute, the Hebrew University attracts the best researchers in a variety of fields. The university's researchers are acknowledged through numerous publications in prestigious periodicals and by receiving many distinguished awards in Israel and abroad, among them the Nobel Prize, the Israel Prize, the Wolf Prize, the Rothschild Prize and the Emet Prize.
The Hebrew University awards honorary degrees to persons who have distinguished themselves by academic or creative achievement, who have rendered outstanding service to the University, or whose activities have been of notable benefit to humanity, the State of Israel, or the Jewish people.
The Scopus Award is the highest honor that can be bestowed upon an individual by a Friends Association. It truly represents and reflects the traditions of excellence that embody the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. The Scopus Award is presented to an individual or to an association who have excelled in their respective fields and whose humanitarian endeavors and outstanding commitment contributed to the betterment of the Hebrew University, the State of Israel, the Jewish people and the Humanity. The Scopus Prize was designed by Gérard Garouste.
Our Seven Year Capital Campaign
By now we are well into the second half of our seven-year, $1 billion, fundraising campaign 'A Tradition of Innovation'. We are grateful that together we’ve already raised $590 million, which has made so much innovation, research, and learning possible, as well as an unprecedented flurry of construction which will ensure that all of our campuses can support research and teaching as we enter our second century.
We are extremely thankful to our donors for choosing to support our university in a variety of ways. We continue to expand the scope of our academic activity, further developing and advancing a number of new interdisciplinary research centers.
Looking ahead, we have identified a number of key strategic areas which will best ensure that we can continue to remain cutting-edge, to innovate, to create knowledge and leadership, and to meet the challenges of the 21st century and beyond.
Together we are making it happen
Campaign Strategic Priority Areas
High Tech Jerusalem
At the Hebrew University, we are at the forefront of several rapidly innovating fields, such as nanotechnology, quantum science, artificial intelligence and cybersecurity. We lead Israel in technology transfer and in establishing university start-ups. As we support our scientists and entrepreneurs, we are further solidifying the city of Jerusalem as a global technology center.
Human Health
We are driving innovations across the breadth of health-related disciplines - including in precision and computational medicine, brain sciences, and cannabis research. Updating laboratory facilities and equipment while also investing in teaching will allow us to pursue breakthroughs across disciplines to improve healthcare for generations of patients.
Leadership for Tomorrow
Our continued innovative culture and academic excellence relies on attracting the best talent – both faculty and students. We seek to invest in research environments for young faculty, in fellowships for talented students, and in innovative, interdisciplinary and honors graduate and undergraduate programs which will forge the next generation of great thinkers, leaders and problem-solvers – in Israel and around the world.
Better World
We are investing in programs which will create knowledge and leadership to solve world challenges. At home, through scholarships, diversity initiatives, support services and more, we will ensure a stronger and more representative university community and a model of pluralism and tolerance for society at large.
Global Collaboration
The Hebrew University will continue as an active participant in the international community of scholars. We plan to increase student exchange opportunities, welcome more international students to our degree programs, and foster collaborative partnerships with renowned partner institutions worldwide.
Sustainable Planet
As pioneers in water reclamation, natural pesticides, food development, and more, we are committed to continuing our work to preserve the planet amid challenges of population growth, climate change, and damage already done to our natural resources. Our revolutionary work in sustainable agriculture, transportation, food safety, environmental sciences, urban planning, public health and community development has the potential to make a real impact in the coming years.
Building Capacity
We intend to change the world. To do so, we will physically build out the necessary infrastructure and spaces, including extensive renovations and thoughtful modernizations, to best nurture the people and ideas of tomorrow. We will also build the capacity of our students through new teaching programs and modalities.