TAU president to make his first Australian visit
The president of Tel Aviv University Professor Ariel Porat will make his first visit to Australia nex week.
Professor Ariel Porat
He comes as a guest of the Australian Friends of Tel Aviv University and will be accompanied by Vice-President Amos Elad.
This is the first visit of a TAU dignitary for over two years due to travel restrictions.
It coincides with the launch of a new Federal Australian Friends of Tel Aviv University (AFTAU) and a relaunch of face-to-face activities for AFTAU post-Covid-19.
Porat has been associated with TAU for 42 years. He began his studies at age 23 after completing his IDF service, earned his law degree in 1983, and received his research doctorate in law (JSD) in 1989. His parents were both judge. His father served as vice-president of the Tel Aviv District Court and his mother was a judge at the National Labour Court.
Porat joined TAU as a faculty member in 1990, serving as Dean of the Law School from 2002 to 2006 and chairing the University strategic steering committee from 2013 to 2014. He was appointed the ninth president of TAU in 2019.
“I enjoy research very much,” he says, “but it was important for me to try to make an impact in the world.” Porat said that he felt he could “make a more significant contribution to society as the head of a university then as an academic”.
Since becoming President, Porat has focused on three primary strategic goals:
- The continued internationalisation and globalisation of the university,
- Multidisciplinary studies among the different subjects of research, and
- Strengthening the university’s ties with the biotech and high-tech industries in Israel.
TAU hosts over 3,000 international students each year and offers programs of varying duration and degree levels for international students, including semester, summer, year abroad and full degree programs. Its newest international program, beginning in October this year, is a bachelor’s degree – the first of its kind in Israel – combining management studies in an entrepreneurship track with the humanities and social sciences. It is taught 100% in English.
AFTAU will explore the possibilities for funding scholarships for Australian students who wish to attend Tel Aviv University to study courses like this, and the broad variety of other programmes available.
CEO pf AFTAU David Solomon told J-Wire: “It is hoped that from this offering, together with exciting hybrid models of philanthropy/impact investment, a new generation of supporters for TAU will arise – with different reasons for connecting with the University than their parents and grandparents.
Porat reminds us that the motto of the University is “Pursuing the Unknown”. He suggests that “It’s quite easy to invest philanthropically in ideas that could change the world”.”
Professor Porat will visit Sydney and Melbourne during his six-day visits.
After having no visits for over two years, he wants to thank established supporters and demonstrate how important to TAU and Israel are the Australian Friends of the University.
He also wants to establish awareness of TAU amongst new audiences and the next generations (25 to 35 year olds and 35–55-year-olds)
There won’t be any public meetings.
