Bar-Ilan University’s first graduating class of 48 medical students receives MD degrees from the School of Medicine in the Galilee. The 25 women and 23 men, including five Arab students, began their medical studies in universities abroad and returned home to Israel to complete the clinical component of their training.
Attending the historic event were Israel’s foremost leaders. “The school has national importance for advancing medicine in the Galilee,” stressed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, noting that the school is helping us to “realize our vision that northern Israel becomes a center of knowledge and know-how in the life sciences, encouraging the establishment of medical and biotechnological institutions.” Recounting the government’s investment in the school, the Prime Minister announced the allocation of an additional NIS 150 million to establish a permanent home for the school.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu congratulates a new graduate.
Aryeh Deri, Minister of the Interior and Minister of the Development of the Negev and the Galilee: “This is a dream come true. The next stage will be the opening of a permanent facility for the medical school, a project being led by my Ministry.”
Minister of Health Yaakov Litzman: “Thanks to the School of Medicine, hospitals and medical clinics in the Galilee have been upgraded. The school is narrowing the gaps in quality medical care between the north and the center of the country.”
Education Minister Naftali Bennett: “The school is a microcosm of Israeli society, connecting the material with the spiritual.”
BIU President Rabbi Prof Rabbi Daniel Hershkowitz (left) pictured with the Prime Minister, said: “It is rare to achieve such success within five years, but the school is reaching its goals It was a great privilege for me to be part of the government that decided to establish the school and now to be University president as the first graduating class receives its certification.”
Dean of the School of Medicine Prof Ran Tur-Kaspa presents a diploma to a new doctor as BIU Rector Prof. Miriam Faust looks on. The Dean said: “The establishment of the medical school is the realization of a national, Zionistic and educational vision. The school promotes science, coexistence, settlement in the Galilee, and scientific education for youth. The school trains doctors and scientists, and uniquely influences medical, academic, social and economic development of northern Israel.”
Also present at the event were Safed Mayor Ilan Shochet, the Chairman of the Planning and Budgeting Committee of the Israel Council for Higher Education Prof. Yaffa Zilbershats, Galilee regional authorities, and directors of northern hospitals affiliated with the school.
Speaking on behalf of the graduates, Dr. Yotam Eshel, expressed the students’ gratitude to the university and the medical school faculty for giving them the opportunity to return home, to study in their native language and on a high professional level in a nurturing atmosphere.
Established in 2011, BIU’s School of Medicine in the Galilee currently has 627 students studying medicine and advanced degrees. The first 48 grads have already started their specializations.
