In Celebration: 30,000 Graduates

Previous issues

IN CELEBRATION
30,000 GRADUATES

GRADUATES
Ahmad Mahagna: Bank Manager in Umm-El-Fahm
Gal Dor: University Student since Grade School
Universities Vied for Karen Lavi
From High School 'Failure' to Medical Student: Dor Bar Oz
From a Street Kid to a Role Model: Golan Biton
Ultra-Orthodox Students at OU
Rivka Ravitz, Mother of 10
A Journey of Self-Discovery: Dr. Rivka Nagar

FROM THE PRESIDENT'S DESK
Maximizing Potential at the Open University

RESEARCH
Cyber-Bullying: A Virtual Plague
Novel Methods for Genetic Testing
Isolating the TOR Gene to Effectively Treat Cancer
Forced Labor During the Holocaust
Research Day: 26 Research Topics

TECHNOLOGY
Virtual Learning: Lectures that Don't Evaporate When the Lecturer Finishes
Mobile Applications that Put the OU in Your Pocket
Tablets In? Kindles Out?

INTERNATIONAL
Entrepreneur's Club Goes International
Moscow in Ra'anana
Open University Foundation: New York Gala

CONFERENCES
Genocide Conference
Google @ 6th Chais Conference

ON THE BOOKSHELF
"Israel's First Ladies"
"The Holocaust and Genocide as Wrought By Human Beings"
"A Man Walks Home"

GRADUATES
In Celebration: 30,000 Graduates ...continued from previous page. Professor Shalom Ratzabi found all university gates closed to him. Today, Professor Ratzabi enjoys an international academic career. He teaches intellectual history at Tel Aviv University, is a member of the scientific committee of Yad Yitzhak Ben Zvi and is the editor of the writings of Martin Buber that will be published in Germany. Professor Ratzabi's background is a colorful one. From a Lithuanian yeshiva to writing poetry, when he was 30 years old he realized that what he really wanted to do was combine his two loves -- reading and writing, and the only way to do that was to have a career in academia. But, all universities were closed to him -- he had never finished his matriculation exams nor had he graduated from high school. All doors were closed, except for the Open University, where he received his undergraduate degree in social sciences. He then went on to receive a master's degree, and later on a doctorate from Tel Aviv University. Yuval Harpaz, from tour guide to brain researcher. Since high school, Yuval dreamed of doing brain research. But his low matriculation scores prevented him from fulfilling this dream. Many years later while helping his visually-impaired wife, Ronit, with her psychology and sociology studies at the Open University, Yuval's appetite for studies grew, and he applied to Tel Aviv University and Bar Ilan University. Both turned him down. But, the Open University accepted him and by the summer of 2005 he finished his studies (while still helping Ronit with her studies and their newborn twins). One year later he submitted his thesis, and, following his successful studies at the Open University, was accepted on a direct track to his doctorate in brain research studies at Tel Aviv University. Now, Yuval is finishing up his doctorate, working at Bar Ilan University and planning to do a post-doctorate. Halah Fuad Shiti, from high school biology teacher to vice-president of a medical supplies company. Halah will never forget the individualized attention she received as a master's student in biological thought. "This is the largest university in the country -- but each student is treated as an individual." From the moment that Halah came to the decision that she wanted to advance beyond high school teaching, she knew two things. One, is that she would need a master's degree. Two, that she would go to the Open University. Perhaps she will be a university instructor, as she wanted, but in the meantime, she is busy with the family company she helped found -- 3H.F.S., Ltd -- which imports and markets medical equipment and cosmetics. Daphy Conis chose the Open University for all the right reasons. Daphy was already familiar with the course material on brain studies, having read it during her army service. She was working two jobs and had little time for classroom attendance. And, for ten years she suffered from anorexia. She also chose the Open University because she knew that, eventually, she wanted to teach university students. Today, Daphy is completing her doctorate, and is a lecturer at the Open University. Dr. Dana Moskowitz finished her undergraduate degree at the Open University before she completed high school. It was at the Open University that Dana began her studies in computer science theory -- which she teaches today -- and also learned "how to learn." Since earning her undergraduate degree from the Open University, she has gone on to earn a master's degree in computer science from Tel Aviv University, a doctorate from the Weizmann Institute and a post-doctorate at Princeton University's Institute for Advanced Studies. Now, she is a senior lecturer at MIT. You can read about other graduates of the Open University in this issue. Gal Dor, Rivka Ravitz, Dor Bar Oz, Karen Lavi, Golan Biton, Ahmad Mahagna, Benyahu Tabila, and Dr. Rivka Nagar. Page: 1 2

GRADUATES

In Celebration: 30,000 Graduates

...continued from previous page.

Professor Shalom Ratzabi found all university gates closed to him. Today, Professor Ratzabi enjoys an international academic career. He teaches intellectual history at Tel Aviv University, is a member of the scientific committee of Yad Yitzhak Ben Zvi and is the editor of the writings of Martin Buber that will be published in Germany. Professor Ratzabi's background is a colorful one. From a Lithuanian yeshiva to writing poetry, when he was 30 years old he realized that what he really wanted to do was combine his two loves -- reading and writing, and the only way to do that was to have a career in academia. But, all universities were closed to him -- he had never finished his matriculation exams nor had he graduated from high school. All doors were closed, except for the Open University, where he received his undergraduate degree in social sciences. He then went on to receive a master's degree, and later on a doctorate from Tel Aviv University.

Yuval Harpaz, from tour guide to brain researcher. Since high school, Yuval dreamed of doing brain research. But his low matriculation scores prevented him from fulfilling this dream. Many years later while helping his visually-impaired wife, Ronit, with her psychology and sociology studies at the Open University, Yuval's appetite for studies grew, and he applied to Tel Aviv University and Bar Ilan University. Both turned him down. But, the Open University accepted him and by the summer of 2005 he finished his studies (while still helping Ronit with her studies and their newborn twins). One year later he submitted his thesis, and, following his successful studies at the Open University, was accepted on a direct track to his doctorate in brain research studies at Tel Aviv University. Now, Yuval is finishing up his doctorate, working at Bar Ilan University and planning to do a post-doctorate.

Halah Fuad Shiti, from high school biology teacher to vice-president of a medical supplies company. Halah will never forget the individualized attention she received as a master's student in biological thought. "This is the largest university in the country -- but each student is treated as an individual." From the moment that Halah came to the decision that she wanted to advance beyond high school teaching, she knew two things. One, is that she would need a master's degree. Two, that she would go to the Open University. Perhaps she will be a university instructor, as she wanted, but in the meantime, she is busy with the family company she helped found -- 3H.F.S., Ltd -- which imports and markets medical equipment and cosmetics.

Daphy Conis chose the Open University for all the right reasons. Daphy was already familiar with the course material on brain studies, having read it during her army service. She was working two jobs and had little time for classroom attendance. And, for ten years she suffered from anorexia. She also chose the Open University because she knew that, eventually, she wanted to teach university students. Today, Daphy is completing her doctorate, and is a lecturer at the Open University.

Dr. Dana Moskowitz finished her undergraduate degree at the Open University before she completed high school. It was at the Open University that Dana began her studies in computer science theory -- which she teaches today -- and also learned "how to learn." Since earning her undergraduate degree from the Open University, she has gone on to earn a master's degree in computer science from Tel Aviv University, a doctorate from the Weizmann Institute and a post-doctorate at Princeton University's Institute for Advanced Studies. Now, she is a senior lecturer at MIT.

You can read about other graduates of the Open University in this issue. Gal Dor, Rivka Ravitz, Dor Bar Oz, Karen Lavi, Golan Biton, Ahmad Mahagna, Benyahu Tabila, and Dr. Rivka Nagar.

Page: 1 2