Queen Elizabeth II to Honor BGU President
Queen Elizabeth II to Honor BGU President
May 19, 2015
Leadership, Awards & Events, Press Releases
“Israel is lucky to have her as a leader; Britain is lucky to have her as a friend.” – U.K. Ambassador to Israel Matthew Gould
Prof. Rivka Carmi and U.K. Ambassador Matthew Gould
Buckingham Palace announced yesterday that Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will appoint Ben-Gurion University of the Negev’s president, Professor Rivka Carmi, an Honorary Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire for her work to deepen scientific and academic relations between the United Kingdom and Israel.
According to the announcement, “Prof. Carmi, the first woman to serve as president of an Israeli university, has played a vital role in strengthening scientific collaboration between the U.K. and Israel as the founding co-chair of the U.K. Israel Science Council since its inception in 2010.”
Under her leadership, the Science Council promotes joint academic work, such as cutting-edge stem cell research to tackle some of the world’s most dreadful diseases.
Prof. Carmi said in response to the announcement of the award: “I am thrilled to accept this honor which recognizes the increasing links between the U.K. and Israel, especially in science. The U.K. Israel Science Council, set up at the behest of Ambassador Gould, has been a flagship initiative, demonstrating the great potential for collaboration between our two countries. We are committed to improving the health of all nations and sharing our scientific discoveries.”
British Ambassador to Israel Matthew Gould said, “I am delighted that Her Majesty has chosen to honor President Prof. Carmi with this award. She is an inspiration to me and many others. Her leadership and commitment to strengthen science collaboration between our countries has made a huge difference. Israel is lucky to have her as a leader; Britain is lucky to have her as a friend.” The award ceremony will take place at the British Embassy in Tel Aviv on June 9.
The past few months have witnessed a sharp increase in scientific collaboration, further engaging British and Israeli researchers. These include the second round of projects of the BIRAX joint medical research initiative, launch of several student exchange programs and scholarships in top universities such as Oxford and Cambridge, and a unique cooperation agreement between the U.K.’s prestigious Royal Society and the Israeli Academy of Sciences and Humanities.
“The honor being bestowed upon President Carmi by Queen Elizabeth II underscores the critical part she is playing, and that Ben-Gurion University of the Negev is playing under her leadership in advancing scientific research in Israel, in Great Britain, and around the world,” remarked Doron Krakow, executive vice president of American Associates, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev.
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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