"Academia is a national strategic asset. We are suffering from a lack of resources and public support"
"We are suffering from a brain drain on one hand, but also from boycotts by universities around the world," said Prof. Tamir Sheafer, President of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, at the National Security Conference. According to Arie Zaban, President of Bar-Ilan University, the share of higher education in Israel's GDP has been systematically decreasing for over a decade.
"Academia is a national strategic asset. We are suffering from a lack of resources and public support."
"We are suffering from a brain drain on one hand, but also from boycotts by universities around the world," said Prof. Tamir Sheafer, President of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, at the National Security Conference organized by ynet and "Yedioth Ahronoth" in cooperation with the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS).
According to Arie Zaban, President of Bar-Ilan University, "We are in a constant decline. The share of higher education in our GDP has been systematically decreasing for over a decade."
"Israeli academia is a strategic asset of the highest order. It is critical to Israel's security, health, and economy, and the situation we see today is one where the entire Israeli academic system is in danger," Prof. Sheafer stated during the "Brain Drain Threat" panel. He noted that the brain drain is a direct result of insufficient resources and political support. Sheafer further highlighted that international boycotts hinder cooperation with global researchers and limit the ability to secure research funding.
Prof. Arie Zaban added: "Recently, cuts of 700 million shekels were announced for the higher education budget. This is a huge amount that makes a real difference. We are constantly weakening ourselves." Regarding the brain drain, Zaban noted that he has worked to bring back over 100 researchers to Bar-Ilan University in the last five years. "They are willing to give up a comfortable life and a good salary, but there are three things they will not compromise on: their science (equipment and funding), internationalism, and academic freedom. When academia is attacked, our academic freedom is harmed."
Brig. Gen. (res.) Reem Aminoach, a former member of the General Staff Forum and member of the INSS Board of Directors, noted: "In the defense industries or the army, we see people moving to other positions within Israel, rather than fleeing abroad. It is important to say that the State of Israel is a threatened country living under existential danger. Determination and a 'run forward' approach are important, but they are not enough."
He further noted: "We see Ukraine with its progress in drones and robotics, which has turned the tide of battle. Their scientists and their 'brains' managed to create something that soldiers on the battlefield cannot overcome. When you talk about brains, you are talking about a force that can change the outcome of a war."
