Ariel University Center of Samaria
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| Ariel University Center of Samaria | |
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| המרכז האוניברסיטאי אריאל בשומרון | |
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| Established: | 1982 |
| Type: | Public |
| Chairman: | Prof. Moshe Arens |
| President: | Prof. Dan Meyerstein |
| Provost: | Prof. Zilla Sinuany-Stern |
| Students: | 9,500 |
| Location: | Ariel, Israel |
| Campus: | Urban |
| Website: | www.ariel.ac.il |
The Ariel University Center of Samaria (Hebrew: המרכז האוניברסיטאי אריאל בשומרון, HaMerkaz HaUniversitai Ariel BaShomron) is the largest Israeli public college. The College was founded in 1982 as a regional branch of Bar-Ilan University. Originally located in the West Bank town of Kedumim, it was moved to the larger community of Ariel when expansion was necessary. The association with Bar-Ilan University lapsed in the 2004-2005 academic year due to the school administration's decision to become independent and pursue university status. In August 2007, the 'College of Judea and Samaria' in Ariel declared itself a 'university center'. Although Prime Minister Ehud Olmert endorsed the change, both Minister of Education Yuli Tamir and the Council for Higher Education have vowed to block it.[1]
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[edit] University status
In 2005, the Israeli government voted to support upgrading the College to university status. On one hand, this was viewed as a political decision to appease more conservative elements in Israeli politics before the implementation of the disengagement plan, on the other hand, the high quantity and quality of academic research by the faculty could not be ignored. The reaction from the academic community in Israel was not openly receptive, partly because of its location over the Green Line, as well as allowing a new institution into the fold. The change of status was not immediate since the decision only allowed the College to apply for revision by the Council for Higher Education in Israel which must ultimately approve the change. University status is an issue of prestige, increased government funding, as well as the ability to issue doctorate degrees.
In July 2006, the Council for Higher Education rejected the idea (which was also paired with an initiative by Shimon Peres to unite several regional colleges in the Galilee into one umbrella university). The Council accepted the conclusion of a committee it had itself set up that simply decided that no new university would be established in Israel in the next five years. The committee did not discuss, or perhaps avoided the discussion of the merits or shortcomings of the two initiatives. Subsequently, criticism was directed at the Council for ignoring the decision of the government. [2]
In August 2007, the 'College of Judea and Samaria', in the interim period and anticipation of achieving official university status, renamed itself a 'university center' and its name became 'Ariel University Center of Samaria'.
In March 2008, the Israeli Justice Ministry, using a technicality, demanded that the institution stop using the title 'university center' and threatened it with a lawsuit. School Chairman of the Board, Yigal Cohen-Orgad, responded that the institution, like other Israeli colleges, does not need to request external approval to change its name. [3].
[edit] Faculties and departments
- Architecture
- Faculty of Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Electrical Engineering & Electronics
- Chemical Engineering & Biotechnology
- Mechanical Engineering - Mechatronics
- Industrial Engineering & Management
- Faculty of Natural Sciences
- Molecular Biology
- Biological Chemistry
- Applied Physics
- Computer Science & Mathematics
- School of Health Sciences
- Health Management
- Physiotherapy
- Nutrition
- Medical Physics & Imaging
- Faculty of Social Sciences & Humanities
- Economics & Business Management
- Behavioral Sciences/Psychology
- Social Work
- Israel & Middle Eastern Studies
- Israel Heritage
- Multidisciplinary Studies (Humanities)
- Mass Communications
[edit] Research institutes
- Free Electron Laser Center
- Samaria & Jordan Valley Regional R&D Center
- Israel National Strategic Assessment Center
- Mass Media Research Center
- Homeland Security R&D Center
[edit] Enrollment
Current enrollment at the university is 9,000, including Jewish, Arab, Druze and Circassian Israeli students. [4][5][6]
[edit] References
- ^ Ariel College upgrades itself to 'university' status Haaretz, 2 August 2007
- ^ Request from Ariel College to become a university turned down Walla News, 12 July 2006
- ^ Justice Ministry Downgrades Ariel University to College Israel National News, Hillel Fendel, 30 March 2008
- ^ Quick Facts About The Ariel University Center of Samaria
- ^ A study in irony Haaretz, 22 June 2005
- ^ Arabs Studying at ‘Settler’ College Israel Today, 18 January 2006
