Honorary Degree Recipients 2025

In recognition of her impressive academic achievements, and for her past and present senior managerial roles, which have contributed to the higher education system in Israel; as Dean of the School of Social Work and Social Welfare, and also as Head of the International School at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and as the ninth President of the Open University of Israel (2018–2023). During her tenure, she has successfully positioned the Open University as a leading research institution in Israel – an achievement reflected in its admission to the Association of University Heads, Israel (VERA), and its authorization to award a doctorate in education: technologies in learning systems; and for her successful leadership of the university during the Corona pandemic, while maintaining the continuity of studies and standards of academic excellence, through the use of advanced learning technologies.

And in recognition of her significant contribution in encouraging research and education in Israel, through the establishment of projects that, among other things, relate to social issues and concern for men and women with disabilities and special needs, for instance the Master’s degree track in Social Entrepreneurship, and the Disability Studies track at the Hebrew University; the Multidisciplinary Center for Autism, a research center for disability studies in partnership with Joint Israel (JDC) and the Faculty of Medicine, and the Digital Humanities and Social Sciences Hub at the Open University; for the international reputation that she has earned as a researcher at prestigious academic institutions worldwide; and for her extensive research in the fields of gender, equality, and social justice in Israel.

In recognition of her establishment of the groundbreaking social-technological initiative “Fair Planet” (2012), a non-profit organization that harnesses leading seed companies in Israel and worldwide to identify high-quality varieties suited to the unique growing conditions of developing countries in Africa, such as Ethiopia, Tanzania, and Rwanda. Her commendable work combines professional excellence in the field of agriculture and agronomy with a deep commitment to improving the world, focusing on making selected seeds and advanced agricultural knowledge available to small farmers and teaching the local extension programs, thanks to which the crops of more than 100,000 farmers in Ethiopia tripled and their income from their small holdings increased sixfold; and for her contribution to eradicating poverty and alleviating hunger among more than 8 million people each growing season.

In recognition of her innovative approach based on empowerment and education in developing countries, through the establishment of training centers that equip local farmers with the technology and practical knowledge necessary to improve their crops; for creating strategic partnerships between seed companies, academic institutions and local organizations in order to improve the wellbeing of disadvantaged populations; and for being an ambassador who spreads Israel’s good name on international platforms in the field of innovation and social global contribution.

And in recognition of her personal resilience and continued vigorous activity, despite the inconceivable tragedy she experienced on October 7, 2023, when she was brutally abducted to Gaza with her daughter, son-in-law, and two grandchildren from her home in Kibbutz Be’eri. They were all released after 50 days of captivity, except for her son-in-law Tal who was released after 505 days. Her husband Avshalom, her sister Lilach, and other family members were murdered on that terrible day; for being a symbol of human strength, hope and faith in the power of good deeds, even in the darkest hour; and for her part in the struggle to free our kidnapped brothers and sisters who are still being held under intolerable conditions by despicable terrorists in Gaza.

In recognition of his outstanding contribution to the world of finance and business in Israel, as Chair of the Board of Directors of Bank Leumi from 2019 to 2023. During his tenure, he led the bank, together with its executive management, to exceptional achievements in efficiency, innovation, growth, profitability, and financial strength, while dealing with the challenges of the Corona pandemic, the war, the legal revolution, and the economic turbulence that occurred in Israel and worldwide in the capital markets and in macroeconomics; in recognition for being the youngest chair in the bank’s history, and the first Arab-Israeli to serve as a director of a publicly traded company in Israel; for his activity to advance human diversity at the crossroads of economic power in the country, through his work as an entrepreneur, an investor, a member of the leading boards of directors in the economy, and a social activist for all segments of Israeli society.

In recognition of his impressive academic accomplishments as a senior lecturer at Reichman University, and a member of the Council for Higher Education, and his dedication to educating future generations; for his influential research in the fields of foreign currency options, liquidity premiums, and the foreign currency policy of central banks; for his vigorous activity to strengthen Israel’s economic and business ties with the countries of the Abraham Accords as well as potential future signatories; for his involvement in crafting cooperation agreements with Arab countries and in hosting delegations from these countries in Israel; for his distinguished representation of Israel at prestigious international conferences, including the World Economic Forum, and for being the only Israeli ever invited to speak in Saudi Arabia, at the prestigious Future Investment Initiative Conference in Riyadh.

And in recognition of his academic and professional excellence, for which he was awarded teaching certificates of excellence from Harvard University, Reichman University, and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem; a Fulbright scholarship from the US Department of State; the Ga’aton Prize from the Bank of Israel for the best empirical research in Israel; and a George Shultz Foundation grant from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

In recognition of her unique and central contribution to Israeli media over decades as a reporter, presenter, and editor of many programs, including the long-standing radio program “Seder Yom,” which has been on air since 2008; for her in-depth and courageous journalistic work which has brought complex social, economic, and political issues to public debate, including those that never reached the headlines; and for her involvement in many sensitive and topical documentary series and podcasts such as “House at the End of the Track,” “My Freedom,” and “Nahal Oz – The Abandoned Outpost.”

In recognition of her uncompromising activity to promote human rights and social justice, and for her determination to serve as a voice for disadvantaged groups in Israeli society, including people with disabilities, minority groups, people with mental illness, contract workers, and women; for being accessible to the public in helping to deal with specific injustices and ensuring their resolution; and for her influence on an entire generation of journalists and media students, who see her as an inspiration for ethical, responsible, and professional media activity.

And in recognition of her deep commitment to the values of quality journalism, which has earned her many prizes and awards, including: the Ometz Prize for exposing government corruption (2009), the Emil Grunzweig Human Rights Award from the Association for Civil Rights in Israel (2011), the Knight of Quality Government Award from the Movement for Quality Government in Israel (2012), the Sokolov Award for Broadcast Journalism (2015), the Coexistence Award from the Abraham Initiatives (2021), and the Transparency Shield from Transparency International-Israel (2022).

In recognition of his exceptional contribution to advancing the science of artificial intelligence and machine learning, which established his global influence in the field; for his pioneering ideas and the entrepreneurial spirit that led him to join the founding team of OpenAI, where he served as Chief Scientist, leading the development of the GPT model series that revolutionized language processing and changed human-computer interaction; for his promotion of the responsible use of artificial intelligence through the founding of Safe Superintelligence; for his impressive scientific achievements, including leading the development team of AlexNet, a groundbreaking network in the field of computer vision; and for co-inventing networks that deal with serial information processing.

And in tribute to his proud affiliation with the Open University of Israel, where he studied from 2000 to 2003, and his pursuit of doctoral studies at the University of Toronto under the tutelage of Prof. Geoffrey Hinton, the esteemed “father of modern artificial intelligence”; and for his pivotal role in establishing Israel’s position as a global leader in technological innovation.

In recognition of her pioneering, groundbreaking leadership in the Israeli and global high-tech industry, as CEO of Intel Israel (2007–2017), and Vice President of the Intel Corporation worldwide (2007–2020). In her capacity in these roles, she was instrumental in enabling this leading multinational corporation to reach exceptional heights, and, equally important, she established and strengthened the industry, innovation, and national resilience of the State of Israel. She turned Israel into a global power in the field of electronics and semiconductors. Her unique career path combines far-reaching technological vision with a deep commitment to social advancement.

In recognition of her many years of activity to reduce social inequalities by encouraging technological education, and aspiring to excellence in all sectors of the population, including women, minorities, the ultra- Orthodox sector, and youth from the socio-geographical periphery; for promoting a policy of occupational diversity, reducing gender gaps and integrating disadvantaged populations in the high-tech industry; for her membership, past and present, in various committees and councils for advancement of the economy, education, and academia in Israel; and for being a role model for many women aspiring to leadership positions in the field of technology.

And in recognition of her achievements and excellence, which have earned her a series of awards and degrees over the years: the Industry Prize from the Manufacturers' Association of Israel (2011); the Hugo Ramniceanu Prize in Economics (2012); an honorary doctorate from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (2013); in addition, she was also awarded the honor of lighting a torch at the ceremony marking Israel’s 66th Independence Day (2014).

In recognition of his tireless work over many years as a writer, historian, and intellectual of the first order; for his in-depth research on the history of the youth movements, pioneer groups, and settlement in the Jordan Valley; for publishing numerous books and articles, which, amongst other things, tell the fascinating life stories of key figures in Israel’s heritage, alongside comprehensive historical research on Degania Alef, the Kinneret Courtyard, and the settlement movements in the early 20th century; and for his contribution to the important collection of testimonies “The Seventh Day” (Siach Lochamim) published after the Six-Day War, which also had a profound impact in Israel and around the world.

In recognition of his activity over decades in the kibbutz movement and the public sector, in which he held various public positions, including three terms as the secretary of Kibbutz Ein Gev, secretary of the United Kibbutz Movement (1989–1993), and member of the Council of the Open University of Israel (1989–1998); for being a compass and a guide, a man who, with modesty and dedication, strives to instill the values of cooperation, work, and mutual responsibility in future generations, in his work as an educator in the Bina and Natur pre-military academies; and for his support for the educators’ collective and the communal groups of youth movements’ graduates.

And in recognition of his commendable work regarding all aspects of Israeli society. This has earned him the Liebhaber Prize for Religious Tolerance (2008), and the honor of lighting a torch in the ceremony marking Israel’s 65th Independence Day (2013).