50-Years-Magazine-digital

28 50 Years of Opportunity at the OUI The Open University of Israel (OUI) has prioritized higher education for ultra-Orthodox students. While these students are dedicated learners, their Torah-education systems often lack Israeli high school matriculation requirements in subjects like math, science, English, and spoken Hebrew. With the ultra- Orthodox community expected to grow from 13% to 20% of Israel’s population by 2040, integrating them into the workforce is crucial for both the community and Israeli society. The OUI leads in ultra-Orthodox enrollment with over 3,100 students, and 40% in STEM fields as the rest of the students in OUI. The goal is to double this number to 6,000, making up 10% of the student body. The OUI provides dedicated support, including extra guidance and mentoring from counselors focused on ultra- Orthodox students as well as workshops in core subjects. Ensuring cultural sensitivity, students can study with their own gender classmates. Partnerships with ultra-Orthodox institutions, such as teaching within seminaries and Yeshivas, and a focus on employment assistance for graduates make the OUI an extraordinary opportunity and, in many cases, the only opportunity for higher education. Ultra-Orthodox Students