A New Record at Bar-Ilan University

Bar-Ilan University held its annual doctoral degree conferment ceremony online for the first time. For the graduates, the doctoral ceremony marks the culmination of a long and challenging period of study, original thinking and research. The special ceremony also reflects the many resources the University invests in research, and the importance it attaches to scientific investigation.

Following the ceremony, attended by senior academic faculty and members of the Board of Trustees, the new PhDs will set out to impact upon their fields and upon society.

Of the 291 students who received their PhD this year, 61% of them are women – a Bar-Ilan University record. The faculty with the highest number of new PhDs is Social Sciences, with 68 graduates, followed by Jewish Studies (46), Interdisciplinary Studies (43), Exact Sciences (40), Life Sciences (32), Humanities (28), Medicine (17), Law (9), and Engineering (8).

"The large number of female graduates is a reflection of our efforts in recent years to further encourage female researchers to develop their skills and strive to reach the top of their fields," said University President Prof. Arie Zaban.

In addition to the record number of female PhD graduates, a number of women have recently been appointed to senior positions within the University. Prof. Orna Sasson-Levy, an expert on military-society relations and on feminist and ethnic theory, has been appointed Advisor to the President on Gender Equality.  Prof. Ronit Sarid, an expert in virology, became Dean of the School of Graduate Studies, and brain researcher Prof. Nira Mashal was appointed Dean of Students.  Senior management includes Vice President of Research Prof. Shula Michaeli, Vice President of Global Resources Dr. Sharon Goldman, and immediate past Rector Prof. Miri Faust. "They are paving the way for the next generation who've just completed their doctoral degrees," said Prof. Zaban.