An honorary degree bestowed on role models representing HIT values

For the first time in HIT's history, honorary degrees were awarded as part of the general graduation ceremony.
In all, three honorary degrees were bestowed: on former President of the Israeli Supreme Court Judge Dorit Beinisch, on scientist Prof. Ruth Arnon, and on industrialist Mr. Stef Wertheimer.

A packed audience comprising important figures from the financial, business and academic worlds, as well as this year's graduating class and their excited families, participated in a moving ceremony at Toto Hall in Holon. During the event, 665 Bachelor's and 102 Master's students received their degrees, thus joining over 11,000 HIT graduates employed as technological leaders in the fields of engineering, sciences, technology and design in Israel and abroad. The guest of honor at the event was the former Minister of Education, Mr. Gideon Sa'ar.
This year, HIT decided to bestow an honorary degree on three men and women of vision and action, trailblazers in their field, who have made a prominent contribution to science and technology, industry, security, society and the economy.

The members of the award committee were Prof. Eduard Yakubov (the committee chairman), lawyer Orna Kopolovich, Mr. Pinchas Cohen, Mr. Zvi Tropp, Mr. Itzhak Malach, Prof. Ezra Zeheb and Prof. Reshef Tenne.

The three recipients of the honorary degrees were former Israeli Supreme Court President Judge Dorit Beinisch, scientist Prof. Ruth Arnon, and industrialist Mr. Stef Wertheimer – role models for the realizing the values implicit in HIT's values.

An excerpt from the committee's justification for awarding an honorary degree to former Supreme Court President Judge Dorit Beinisch:
"A beacon of law and order, Judge Beinisch has always been singularly committed to pursuing the values of justice and the rule of law. She is a pioneer in her field, being the first woman to serve as President of the Israeli Supreme Court and, before that, as State Attorney. Judge Beinisch has made a crucial contribution to protecting the rule of law and safeguarding human rights in the state of Israel.
Judge Beinisch serves as a model for the values implicit in the Institute's vision: education towards good citizenship and assuming social and environmental responsibility, and making higher education in science and technology more accessible for the entire population."

The award was presented by Prof. Eduard Yakubov, Mr. Pinchas Cohen and Prof. Ezra Zeheb.

An excerpt from the committee's justification for awarding on honorary degree to industrialist Mr. Stef Wertheimer:
"A visionary and an achiever, a trailblazer and leader in his field, Mr. Wertheimer has made a unique contribution to the advancement of the State of Israel, its industry and society. Through his efforts to foster professional training for youth, adapted to changing technological and social needs, and his encouragement of socially responsible business entrepreneurship, Mr. Wertheimer has made an indelible imprint on Israeli society and raised the quality of life among residents of the Negev and Galilee.

Mr Stef Wertheimer speaking after receiving his honorary degree

"Mr. Wertheimer serves as a role model for HIT – a leading academic institution, which grooms its graduates to make their mark on the technological business world, and fosters programs for excellence among youth, in order to train and help integrate them into higher education."

The award was presented by Prof. Eduard Yakubov, Mr. Zvi Tropp and lawyer Orna Kopolovich.

An excerpt from the committee's justification for awarding an honorary degree to Prof. Ruth Arnon:
"A researcher, scientist, and trailblazer in the field of Immunochemistry, Prof. Arnon is one of the pioneers of the use of synthetic molecules for immunization. Her studies on Multiple Sclerosis led to the development of a synthetic polymer which served as the basis for the Copaxone drug.
Prof. Arnon currently serves as President of the Israeli Academy of Sciences. She has published hundreds of studies in leading international journals, and is a board member of several prominent scientific publications.

Alongside her impressive scientific achievements as a model academic and researcher, Prof. Arnon has devoted much of her time to helping integrate Israeli colleges into the highest levels of theoretical and applied research.
Her life's work is a model for HIT's values: promoting women in science and technology, and encouraging the collaboration of academia and the hi-tech industry in theoretical and applied research."

The award was presented by Prof. Eduard Yakubov, Mr. Itzhak Malach and Prof. Reshef Tenne.