NEW YORK (Press Release) — Mortimer B. Zuckerman was awarded The Technion Medal, the highest honor of the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, for his role in advancing science and technology. Zuckerman, Editor-in-Chief of U.S. News & World Report, was honored at a dinner in Manhattan on November 14 for establishing the Zuckerman STEM Leadership Program—a transformative initiative designed to foster collaboration between scientists in the U.S. and Israel.
“The idea is to have Israelis study at the highest level of technology and science in America and vice versa, for Americans in Israel,” says Zuckerman. “The object is not just the intellectual accomplishments, but the establishment of connections that are personal, as well as professional. In this case one plus one here equals three. Each could bring the other to a level that they would never have had access to unless they had this kind of working relationship.”
Technion President Professor Peretz Lavie applauded Zuckerman for his vision. “We proudly honor Mort for his foresight and leadership in building bridges between the U.S. and Israel through this game-changing initiative,” he said. “Collaboration and cooperation are crucial in today’s fast-paced world of science. This is a win-win for both countries.”
Under the Zuckerman Postdoctoral Scholars Program the highest-achieving researchers from the U.S will have the opportunity to study in Israel; the reverse holds true for Israeli students. For the academic year 2016-2017, six postdoctoral researchers from North America will collaborate with leading scientists at the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, as well as The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Tel Aviv University and the Weizmann Institute of Science. Rounding out the research exchange, four Israeli postdocs will study in the U.S.
In addition, the Zuckerman Faculty Scholars Program provides vital resources to the four Israeli universities, allowing them to compete with elite American institutions. Four Israeli 2016-2017 Faculty Scholars, who have been teaching in the U.S., will return to professorships in Israel.
By exposing American students to Israel’s renowned startup culture, the Zuckerman Scholars Program hopes to create a generation of innovative academic and industry leaders. As future Zuckerman Program recipients are expected to accept faculty positions in both North America and Israel, the program promises to create a network of academic collaboration that will benefit scientific cooperation across the continents.
The Technion Medal is reserved for exceptional individuals who have made tireless efforts to advance humanity. Since its establishment in 1996, the Medal has been awarded 15 times. Monday night’s event marked the first time it was presented in the U.S.
*
Preceding provided by the Technion