News Article

Haifa, Israel, Jun 20, 2011—Hundreds of members of the University of Haifa's Board of Governors gathered at the 39th Board of Governors Meeting (BOG) in June, to participate in the Opening Plenary Session, committee meetings, and numerous special events and dedications celebrating this past year's notable achievements at the University.

The 2011 edition of the BOG Meetings was a celebratory event highlighting new reserach initiatives and programs at the University.  It also featured many of UH's esteemed lay leaders.  Among the highlights were the re-election of Mr. Leon H. Charney of New York as Chairman of the Board of Governors and the festive inauguration ceremony dedicating the new Younes and Soraya Nazarian Library wing.  The Nazarians (at left, front row) are from Los Angeles.  Honorary doctorate degrees were conferred upon Americans Professor Alfred Tauber and Professor Mary Main.

 

The BOG events also featured Admiral Ami Ayalon (at left), the new Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Board of Governors.

The University’s international pursuits were the focus of the first evening event.  The International Congress Center in Haifa was the site of the second evening event where the University’s Outstanding Leadership Award was presented to industrialist Stef Wertheimer for his contribution to the economy, society, and security of the State of Israel, and where honorary doctorates were conferred. The Degrees of Doctor of Philosophy, Honoris Causa, were conferred upon Baroness Ariane de Rothschild, Businessman Sami Sagol, Mayor of Nice, Christian Estrosi, and Nobel Prize winner Professor Avram Hershko.  Hundreds of members of the Israel Police, Rescue and Firefighting Services, Magen David Adom, and Prison Service took part, as part of a special tribute to Israel’s security and rescue services.

Israel’s Minister of National Infrastructure, Dr. Uzi Landau, was the guest speaker at the closing Plenary Session of the BOG.  In his remarks, he said that the University’s Oceanographic and Limnological Research Institute are spearheading the development of Israel’s energy infrastructures in this field.  A special event in the Druze village of Julis concluded the BOG meeting and marked the unique relationship between the University of Haifa and the Druze community.