5 to create a genome-sequencing and medical database. The findings will then fuel research and development into nextlevel precision medicine—both in Israeli academia, and in the country’s biomedical companies. Likewise, our investment in the emerging field of bioconvergence, which includes a new Unit for the Synthesis of Smart Materials and the 949 Initiative, a collaboration between the Sheba Medical Center and Bar-Ilan, will result in new technologies for more effective diagnoses, treatments, and life-saving therapies. Together, these initiatives underscore our strategic commitment to strengthening and advancing the field of healthcare in Israel. The new Institute for National Energy Research, the result of a $37 million contract awarded by the government last year, will leverage the innovations of scientists at both Bar-Ilan and the Technion to achieve the state’s goal of 30-percent reliance on renewable energy by 2030. A major part of the institute’s success will be our prototype lab, where ideas will be developed, tested, and translated into products with commercial potential. In the area of society, our new Jonathan Sacks Institute, based in our Department of Political Studies, will create a network of professionals dedicated to advancing Rabbi Sacks’ ideals through their work in every profession and field. In this way, a cohort of citizens will have an outsized influence, shaping the Jewish and democratic character of the state. Also vital to Israel’s security, prosperity, and particularity is our Hebrew in the Age of AI Initiative, which includes our work in the Hebrew digital humanities and the Hebrew NLP (natural language processing) Lab. The former will allow the Jewish people’s historical texts and modern scholarship to be a part of the global academic conversation. The latter—the only one developing technology, models, and algorithms for enabling data science-based applications in Hebrew— will almost single-handedly ensure that our ancient tongue remains a key part of any future Israeli identity. In every instance, these projects will extend way beyond our campus, and realize their full potential through robust partnerships. Indeed, as in the case of our Russell Berrie Galilee Diabetes SPHERE, which is working to close the healthcare gap between the country’s center and periphery, the vision has nowbeen adopted by five northernmunicipalities. As such, it’s no longer accurate to call the vision ours alone. And I can think of no better indication of the initiative’s ultimate success. LikeWalt Disney, and like Theodor Herzl, wemight not see the end result of all our ambitious work. But there is no question that we have set in motion multiple visions with the power to change the world. And when they begin, as they are doing now, to bear remarkable fruit, it will be our privilege to have planted the seeds of their impact. Prof. Arie Zaban President of Bar-Ilan University
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