Press Release From 2014

In recent years, both men and women from the Ultra-Orthodox community turn to technological studies.   According to findings reported by the Samuel Neaman Institute, between 250 to 300 Haredim are graduating each year in these areas, the majority of whom are women.

Report of Samuel Neaman Institute (SNI) examine the success of scientific research projects and programs carried out as a part of the Scientific Infrastructure Program. Over three years the ministry has invested 200 million shekels in 208 Projects.

The report stresses out the important role of the Scientific Infrastructure Program within the national R&D system, mainly the allocation of funding in advanced stages of basic research. It was found that the fields in which the program has the most success are: stem cells, advanced materials, nanotechnology, electro-optics, medicine, biotech and space.

Knesset panel on role of religion in IDF sparks heated debate between national-religious and secular MKs.

Dr. Reuven Gal, a researcher on religion in the IDF, was invited as an expert, following his book “Between the Yarmulke and the Beret”.   Gal said concern about “religionization” in the IDF is rooted in the possibility of soldiers putting rabbinical authority before the chain of command.

In the past three years, Prof. Oz Almog and Dr. Tamar Almog have been conducting an extensive study on the “Israeli Y Generation” sponsored by the Samuel Neaman Institute at the Technion. “We are familiar with the quarter-life crisis phenomenon at the age of 25”, explains Prof. Almog. “At 29 you’re a little past that”.

Many of Israel’s universities are still global leasers in scientific research, even though Israel spends less than the OECD average on its universities on a per-student basis, according to a report by the Technion.

According to a study conducted at the Technion, Israel’s universities mostly stand out in the quality of the research in chemistry and physics, computer sciences and business management ■ However, in recent years there has been a deterioration in several areas of research ■ Researcher: “The situation is the result of investments from the 80’s”

Climate changes are not experts' forecast conducted 30 years ago that the mean temperature on earth will rise in half a degree or more. Climate changes are what we see here and now. Winter of 2013 started with a significant storm but became one of the arid season in recent years, floods, forest fires, and more. The local municipalities and state of Israel need to prepare for these changes.

Prof. Ayalon participated in a conference which discussed aspects of employment in the gas market. Prof. Ayalon introduced the program of management and energy policy at the University of Haifa, where she serves as the head of the program

20 schools will participate in the program that was budgeted 2.6 million shekels.

Ilia Zatcovetsky, a research assistant in the project "Haredim integration" of the Samuel Neaman Institute at the Technion, has examined a few studies and data related to earning ability of Haredim, how much money the state transfers to them and how much benefit would come from integrating these Haredim in the job market.

According to a study conducted by the Samuel Neaman Institute at the Technion, in 1991 Israel was ranked first in terms of output of scientific studies, and maintained a high position up to 2003, then began to deteriorate, until in 2001 dropped to 13th place.

A study by the Samuel Neaman Institute also indicates a growing shortage of engineers. Prof. Shlomo Maital points out an alarming ranking of Israeli students in the international comparative tests (PISA) in math (38th).

According to researchers at the Samuel Neaman Institute at the Technion, growth potential exhaustion of Israeli high-tech can catapult the product by 20% ■ Prof. Shlomo Maital: "The Start-Up Nation is a very narrow layer. 9% of workers cannot support an entire country"

More than in any other country, the Israeli high-tech industry relies on foreign investment. Do major MNCs such as Intel, Microsoft and Google use the IP and knowhow created in their R&D centers in Israel for their own benefit, or do they contribute to the GDP and to the domestic economy? Researchers at the Technion believe that their contribution is critical to the success of the Israeli high – tech and the Israeli economy.

Israel has kept its academic standing in the world, but the competition has become tougher, according to a comprehensive comparative study for 2003-13 by the Samuel Neaman Institute for National Policy Research senior research fellow Prof. Uri Kirsch.

In 2013, the Samuel Neaman Institute published a report covering the Israeli scientific output from 1990 to 2011, identifying the country’s leading scientific disciplines and comparing them to countries around the world. With its unique geographical location and demographic composition, Israel presents an interesting case of scientific capabilities and output as well as collaborative trends. For this issue, we interviewed Daphne Getz, the lead investigator of this report.

100 shades of Green is a new initiative by Maariv, which rated the most influential "green" people and organizations in Israel. Prof. Ofira Ayalon, head of environment cluster at SNI and a professor at Haifa University, was elected. Prof. Ayalon is a co-author of reports for the Ministry of Environmental Protection, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Infrastructure and other government agencies, and has published many articles in the popular and professional media.

Prof. Ayalon, a senior researcher at SNI, is also a lecturer and researcher at the University of Haifa. Prof. Ayalon is the head of the Energy Policy and Management at the Department of Natural Resources & Environmental Management. In the article Prof. Ayalon describes the tools given to the students in the program.

Alongside the thriving high - tech industry, where innovation is a leading value, operates in Israel widespread traditional industry where innovation is low and employee productivity is lagging behind the world. Enterprises-LOCK in Ashkelon and Lachish Industries and Synergy in Sderot are an example of how innovation can create a global competitive advantage in the traditional industries as well, and provide stable jobs.

Prof. Ofira Ayalon, head of environmental cluster at the Samuel Neaman Inst., is also a lecturer at the Department of Natural Resources & Environmental Management at the university of Haifa and is the head of the Energy Management and Policy program. In the article Prof. Ayalon is giving an overview of the curriculum of the program.   

Professor Arnon Bentur completed a series of senior positions at the Technion, and the last of which is the Vice President and CEO of the Technion.

The Israeli Climate Change Information Center and its recommendation for adaptation to climate change are important than ever- the climatologists' alarming forecasts are becoming evident.

Former IDF chief psychologist, Dr. Reuven Gal, estimates that after the huge demonstrations will subside, the Haredim will enlist and fit quite well. "They can see those who have already enlisted and make a decent living."