Israel’s higher education has been facing distinctive issues, as is the case with many nations.
According to Prof. Shlomo Biderman, the chairman of VARAM, the Board of Public Academic Colleges in Israel, Israel’s higher education sector ought to redefine itself for it to remain relevant.
Israel’s higher education should be more enticing
Prof Biderman noted that Israel’s higher education was being shunned by the new generations as they did not regard going to university as the default option.
He acknowledged that most of the young people often asked what would entice them to invest three years of their life attending classes and lectures.
Biderman stipulated that their concerns were instigated by the notion that they were sure that even after attaining higher education, they would not secure job opportunities.
Israel’s higher education is, therefore, not enticing young people as they feel that their efforts will become worthless because of the low employment rate. As a result, most of them are preferring to work in the hi-tech industry as this offers them more job security.
Israel’s higher education should create meaningful academic programs
Biderman noted that Israel’s higher education institutions ought to revamp themselves so that they can come up with useful academic programs to both individual students and society.
As a result, Israel’s higher education should play an instrumental role in promoting social change through the skills presented.
Biderman asserted that a positive step was being witnessed in the nation’s higher education sector. Presently 4,000 students are already enrolled at the Academic College of Tel Aviv-Yaffo, whereby ten options for both bachelor’s degree and master’s programs are availed.
The issue of relevant academic programs is being addressed, as evidenced by the developmental psychology course offered in a childcare center.
On the other hand, another course is being taught to computer science students at a house comprising of young adults with physical or mental disabilities.
Israel’s own version of the US Silicon Valley, the Silicon Wadi
According to a recent announcement, the Israeli Council for Higher Education (CHE) has officially signed a fifty-six million dollar program (USD 56 million), which will aim to support scientific research in the country’s leading higher education institutions.
During its 68 years of existence, Israel has fast developed into an economy one renowned for its high-tech development, innovation and entrepreneurship – gaining the nickname ‘the start-up nation’, with its own version of the US Silicon Valley, the Silicon Wadi.
Israel is especially known for innovation in the high-tech sector, and is reportedly home to more high-tech start-ups than any country other than the US – pretty impressive, considering its relatively small size and population. In recent years, Israel has also been touted as the world’s next major biotech hub.
Be informed about Israel’s higher education and what steps are needed to stay relevant to the times.
