Chairman's Message

Dear Friends, As the coronavirus epidemic ripped through Israel, the government urgently pumped billions of shekels into the economy to bankroll the public health drive, prop up companies, and provide financial relief to struggling families. Now, as we contemplate a more sustainable path for the post-pandemic era, difficult economic and social questions are emerging. How can the labor market and struggling businesses be rehabilitated? Who will pay off the huge national debt that has accumulated – the next generation? If so, what measures can be taken today to spur revival and growth tomorrow? Regaining economic health and stability is a complex task, and I hope that the Israeli political leadership will be up to it. At the same time, I believe that Israeli academia in general, and Tel Aviv University in particular, have much to contribute to the economic recovery of the country. First, we have to understand that the post-pandemic world and its economic needs will be new and unpredictable. It is therefore more important than ever to prepare university graduates with skills such as intellectual agility, entrepreneurship, creativity and adaptability to rapid change – all in the curricular DNA of Tel Aviv University. Second, the trend of online classes and meetings, so central to the pandemic experience, is here to stay, and institutions that embrace digitization will become more competitive and successful. In this regard, TAU has performed exceptionally, not only in quickly switching to online studies but also by initiating a sweeping program for innovation in teaching and learning. Third, we need to invest in Israel’s human capital with ever more academic scholarships, to produce vitally needed knowledge workers and reduce geographic, ethnic and gender gaps. Here too TAU has a strong record and is ideally positioned to advance excellence and inclusivity in the workforce. I invite all our supporters to join me in feeling proud that TAU can be part of the corona solution. We will emerge from this unprecedented crisis even stronger and more determined than before. I would also like to take this opportunity to praise the efforts and commitment of TAU’s faculty, students and benefactors, under the outstanding leadership of President Ariel Porat.

Prof. Jacob A. Frenkel Chairman of the Board of Governors