The Future University
Prof. Uriel Reichman
Starting Points
Starting Points
• Vision
A world-class interdisciplinary university that will
serve the State of Israel and the Jewish people
• An Independent Institution
A non-profit organization that is not funded by
public or state funds
• A Social Institution
University is not an "ivory tower" but an institution
rooted in and connected to society
Starting Points
• The Vision's Primary Application
Training Israeli society's future leadership
• The Importance of Academic Research
- Academic research is the key to advancing man
and society
- The level of the lecturers' research affects
teaching creativity and progress
Fundamental Principles
Team Work
Unique
Admission
Policy
Freedom &
Responsibility
Immigration
Absorption
Zionism
Students as
Partners
Building on Existing
Foundations
Highest
Teaching Level
Interdisciplinary
Education
Practical
Knowledge
International
Horizon
Attitude
Towards
Students
Academic Innovation
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•
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Interdisciplinary programs
Unique admission categories
Treating students as partners
Leading lecturers and researchers
The International School
Leadership training: the Zell Entrepreneurship
Program, the Argov Fellows Program, the Rabin
Leadership Program
International Horizon
• The first university in Israel to offer full academic
programs in English
• 25% of IDC students come from 86 countries and speak
28 languages
• Students exchange programs with over 60 universities
worldwide
• Global collaborations with Wharton, Princeton, Harvard
and more
Leadership &
Entrepreneurship
• Zell Program – Business Entrepreneurship
• Rabin Leadership Program- Public and Social
Entrepreneurship
• Media Innovation Lab - New Digital Media,
Communication and Robotics
• Argov Fellows Program in Leadership and
Diplomacy
• The Entrepreneurship Club
Alumni Ventures
The Need for a
New Academic Structure
Significant Changes
Human
Biology
Sustainability
Technology
Globalization
Significant Changes
Human Biology
Sustainability
Technology
Globalization
• Brain, genetic and stem cell research will
have great impact on human behavior and
ability
• Organ manufacturing and transplants, the
use of mechanical prostheses and
incorporating biological computers in the
human body for different purposes
• This field generates massive investments
and raises many ethical and practical
problems
Significant Changes
Human
Biology
Sustainability
Technology
Globalization
• Global warming, diminishing water
sources, water pollution, energy problems,
urbanization and shrinking agricultural
lands
• As global population nears 8 billion people,
some 1 billion already experience hunger
• Dealing with food shortage and dwindling
natural resources has prompted research
and investments worldwide
Significant Changes
Human
Biology
Sustainability
Technology
Globalization
• The potential of communication and
information computerization has yet to be
fully tapped
• Business, politics, research, medicine and
entertainment are continuously evolving
• 3-D printers, advanced robotics and
computer applications for natural sciences
contribute to the continuous revolution
Significant Changes
Human
Biology
Sustainability
Technology
Globalization
• Understanding global economy, growing
interdependence, mass migration and
demographic changes, international
collaborations, the rise of international law,
mutual cultural influences, etc.
• This mandates new strategies, cultural
understanding and the ability to cooperate
and act in the global reality
Training
Students to
Understand
Global Changes
Developing New
Disciplines
Focused on
Fundamental
Issues for
Mankind
The Changes' Effect
The State
• Technological advancements and globalization
entice and pressure our top graduates to work
overseas
• Historical and national awareness have been
eroded
• We must bolster historical awareness,
education for social commitment and an
academic approach to Israel's problems
• The foreseen growth in socioeconomic gaps
requires education for mutual responsibility
and guarantee
The Changes' Effect
The Graduates
• Unemployment vs. opportunities for those with the
right training and skills
• IDC's duty to train future leadership in a relevant
manner (to function in an ever-changing reality)
The Students
• Are skilled in independently acquiring knowledge
• Have limited patience for lectures and reading books
• Are practically and technologically oriented
• Are more eager to use teaching technologies than
lecturers
The Changes' Effect
Academic Institutions
• New lecture halls technology
• Blended Teaching - Distance learning options for quality
courses
• Online communication methods between students, and
between students, lecturers and teaching assistants
• Stressing dialogue-based, interactive teaching in small
groups, rearranging classrooms etc.
The Importance of Change
• Avoiding progress may render an academic institution
anachronistic
• Remaining an academic vanguard is essential to our
future
Curriculum Relevance
Each school will review and update its
curriculum to ensure its relevance to the
challenges posed by the 21st century
An Interdisciplinary Seminar
for Honor Students on Pivotal
Issues for Mankind
Offering 5-10% of
graduates the
opportunity to
pursue practical
development as
part of an optional
fourth academic
year
Developing Learning
Technologies
Advanced Learning
Technologies (ALT)
Advanced Learning
Technologies (ALT)
Thank You!