Florida Governor Rick Scott Visits Ben-Gurion University of the Negev
Florida Governor Rick Scott Visits Ben-Gurion University of the Negev
December 14, 2011
Business & Management, Negev Development & Community Programs, Press Releases
BEER-SHEVA, Israel, December 14, 2011 -– Florida Governor Rick Scott led a 50-member delegation to Israel that visited Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU) on Tuesday. During the visit, the governor was witness to the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between BGU and the University of South Florida.
“The people here care about Israel,” he said, referring to the impressive group from Florida that included business leaders, politicians, academics and representatives of Enterprise Florida, the organizers of the mission.
The delegation was hosted by BGU’s Rector Prof. Zvi HaCohen, Vice President for External Relations Prof. Amos Drory and Vice President and Dean for Research and Development Prof. Moti Herskowitz. The group heard presentations by BGU faculty members that stressed the areas of future collaborative research.
BGU is the only university on Scott’s agenda during his week-long visit to Israel. The MoU was signed by the rector on behalf of BGU President Prof. Rivka Carmi who was overseas at the time, and University of South Florida President Dr. Judy Genshaft.
“Our two universities have much in common,” said Dr. Genshaft at the signing. “They are both young, exhilarating, dynamic and with the motivation to achieve.” She expressed her belief that global partnerships are the best way for universities to offer students a truly international education.
In May 2011, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between BGU and the University of Miami on the occasion of UM President Prof. Donna E. Shalala receiving an honorary doctorate. During his visit to BGU, the governor also witnessed a supplement to that MoU being signed between Prof. Gabriel Schreiber, dean of BGU’s Faculty of Health Sciences, and Dr. Pascal Goldschmidt, dean of the School of Medicine at Miami University.
Governor Scott is in Israel on a business development mission to deepen the links between Israeli and Florida institutions and businesses. Bilateral trade stood at $184.5 million as of July 2011. One of the goals of the mission is to offer Florida as a jumping off point for Israeli businesses interested in penetrating the Latin American market.
ABOUT AMERICANS FOR BEN-GURION UNIVERSITY
By supporting a world-class academic institution that not only nurtures the Negev, but also shares its expertise locally and globally, Americans for Ben-Gurion University engages a community of Americans who are committed to improving the world. David Ben-Gurion envisioned that Israel’s future would be forged in the Negev. The cutting-edge research carried out at Ben-Gurion University drives that vision by sustaining a desert Silicon Valley, with the “Stanford of the Negev” at its center. The Americans for Ben-Gurion University movement supports a 21st century unifying vision for Israel by rallying around BGU’s remarkable work and role as an apolitical beacon of light in the Negev desert.
About Ben-Gurion University of the Negev
Ben-Gurion University of the Negev embraces the endless potential we have as individuals and as a commonality to adapt and to thrive in changing environments. Inspired by our location in the desert, we aim to discover, to create, and to develop solutions to dynamic challenges, to pose questions that have yet to be asked, and to push beyond the boundaries of the commonly accepted and possible.
We are proud to be a central force for inclusion, diversity and innovation in Israel, and we strive to extend the Negev’s potential and our entrepreneurial spirit throughout the world. For example, the multi-disciplinary School for Sustainability and Climate Change at BGU leverages over 50 years of expertise on living and thriving in the desert into scalable solutions for people everywhere.
BGU at a glance:
20,000 students | 800 senior faculty | 3 campuses | 6 faculties: humanities & social sciences, health sciences, engineering sciences, natural sciences, business & management, and desert research.
For all press inquiries, please contact:
James Fattal, J Cubed Communications
516.289.1496
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