Yeshiva University students interested in moving to Israel will be able to complete their bachelor’s degree at Tel Aviv University’s School of Electrical Engineering in English under a new partnership between the two schools.
Starting this academic year, incoming YU freshmen majoring in electrical engineering can now complete their last two years of studies in Israel at TAU.
The program serves both sides of this new partnership. TAU can diversify its campus with a fresh batch of Modern Orthodox American engineering students, and the students can enjoy an extended period of time in Israel, with the option of making aliya.
“The landmark program provides a solution for students who decide to make aliya prior to completing their studies at Yeshiva University, setting the stage for a smooth absorption process by removing the hassles associated with transferring academic credits to Israeli colleges and helping them establish important academic and industry contacts,” a joint YU-TAU press release stated.
“The program combines academic, Zionist and Jewish values, and Tel Aviv University welcomes Jews of all shades as well as non-Jews,” Tel Aviv University vice president Raanan Rein told The Jerusalem Post.
With a keen interest in diversifying the university’s student body, Rein added: “The idea that Modern Orthodox Jews for some reason cannot study at a university like ours is simply absurd, and we proved that Modern Orthodox Jews can excel and enter the labor market and become an important part of economic prosperity.”
Excited about the potential of this program, Rein highlights the advantages these students will have following graduation: “The aliya process will go much easier for them after two years living here and building connections both professionally and academically, and if they want to go back, they will take a valuable education back to New York and apply it there.”
“This partnership reflects YU’s commitment to serving as a portal to the wider world,” YU president Rabbi Dr. Ari Berman said. “We are a globally focused institution with much to teach to, and much to learn from, the broader world of humanity. Partnering with a renowned institution in one of the world’s premier start-up nations is a step in the right direction for the YU of tomorrow. In addition, this reflects our commitment to collaboration with Israeli institutions and the centrality of the State of Israel to YU’s values.”
At this point, the number of students enrolled in the program is not yet available.
Rein believes that a similar program through Columbia University proved successful for YU. “There’s a lot of interest, possibly more because of the incentive that this program takes place in Israel,” he said.