Tel Hai Academic College opens new campus

Tel Hai, Israel October 30, Tel Hai Academic College kicked off the 2008-2009 academic year with the opening of the new campus. Attending the dedication ceremony was Shimon Peres, Israeli president, MK Yuli Tamir, the Minister of education, Doug Krikler UJIA Chief Executive, Natie Shevel UJIA Regional Director for Israel. Also present were representatives of Council for Higher Education in Israel, ICA foundation, IDB group, Jewish Agency for Israel, Rashi Foundation, and UIA Canada -- partners, all of whom have contributed to the successful launch of the new campus.

For the past three years, UJIA has embarked on a region-wide strategy on education for the sustainable development of the Galil. To this aim, UJIA works to improve the quality of education in the local school and education system, upgrade buildings and facilities, and spur professional development opportunities. Integral to this strategy is investment in higher education and science-based research at Tel Hai Academic College.

Next to Kiryat Shmona, Israel's most northern town, Tel Hai Academic College attracts students from all over Israel thanks to its academic excellence, tolerance community service, environmental protection, and individualised education. The college offers undergraduate degree programmes in the Life, Social and Computer Sciences and the Humanities, and a broad range of continuing education programmes. Some 3,500 students are currently enrolled at Tel Hai, and there are over 700 faculty members teaching and conducting research.

Tel Hai combines academic excellence, science-based research, and business innovation. The Triangle Development Model connects the academic campus with research centres (eg Migal, the Galilee Technology Centre) and high-tech industrial park (eg Meytav Biotechnological Incubator). Together all three components will attract academics, researchers, and professionals from Israel and abroad, and set in motion growth and development of the remote, yet highly strategic Upper Galil.

To accommodate the steadily growing student body and expanding range and volume of activities, UJIA and its partners have undertaken the development of a new campus.

The dedication of the new campus is only the beginning of a multiphase ten-year project that will cover 40 dunams and cost over £50 million. Phase I is nearing completion: construction of a set of Faculty Buildings for the Social Sciences and Humanities and a 350-seat auditorium. The coming months will see the start of the next phase of the project.

UJIA and its partners are committed to the ongoing success of Tel Hai Academic College and fully support construction of the new campus. At the dedication ceremony, Doug Krikler, UJIA Chief Executive said "UJIA is going to be in the Galil for the long term, we are looking forward to a continued relationship with Tel Hai and working together on future projects."