Israel Institute For Advanced Studies At The Hebrew University Hosts Leading Advanced Studies Colleagues From Around The World

Tuesday, Jun 11, 2013

Jerusalem, March 6, 2013 – The Israel Institute for Advanced Studies at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem hosted this week the second conference of the University-Based Institutes for Advances Studies (UBIAS), attended by representatives of 15 institutes of advanced studies from leading universities in the world. This year’s conference focused on the future of academia in a changing world.

The main purpose of the conference was to determine the future policies of the UBIAS and to encourage cooperation between its members. The participants heard lectures on challenging topics of world concern and specifically on issues confronting academia, given by experts in the field.

Among the speakers were Prof. Manuel Trajtenberg, chairman of the Planning and Budgeting Committee of the Israel Council for Higher Education, who spoke about the future of higher education as related to the economy; Prof. Amnon Shashua of the Hebrew University, who spoke about technological innovations in academia; and Prof. Elie Podeh of the Hebrew University, who spoke of the connection between the “Arab spring” and coping with the unexpected in world affairs.

Prof. Michal Linial, head of the Israel Institute for Advanced Studies, said, “This was a prestigious and special gathering of people from institutes around the world, among which the Israel Institute is one of the most veteran, with 40 years of outstanding activity behind it. The fact that this important conference took place here was an added opportunity to solidify the standing of our institute and the Hebrew University as being at the forefront of academic activity.”

Also participating in the conference was Prof. Eliezer Rabinovici, former head of the Israel Institute for Advanced Studies and currently head of the Israel Committee on High Energy Physics. He noted that “Israel was among the pioneers in establishing an institute for advanced studies. In recent years many states are examining establishment of similar institutes as a way to advance their research and international exposure. Toward that end, the Israel Institute for Advanced Studies has a responsibility to share its knowledge and experience with others.”