UIW Chancellor Visits Israel

San Antonio – University of the Incarnate Word Chancellor Dr. Denise Doyle will join a delegation of presidents and chancellors from top U.S. universities visiting Israel this week to explore opportunities for bilateral academic partnerships and collaboration through an educational seminar conducted by Project Interchange, an institute of AJC (American Jewish Committee).  The delegation will meet with their counterparts from Israeli universities, including Bar-Ilan, Haifa, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and Tel Aviv University, among others, in areas relevant to their universities such as research, water and environmental sustainability, biotech, urbanization, and diversity. The delegation will learn about state-of-the art research initiatives and groundbreaking innovation at Israeli universities, as well as unique academia-to-industry technology transfer that has contributed to Israel’s reputation as the “Start Up Nation”.

The campuses and university systems represented include the California State University System, the largest four-year system of higher education in the United States; California State University Fullerton, one of the top universities awarding bachelor’s degrees to Hispanic students; Clark University, which Forbes magazine ranked as a top 40 research university; Georgia State University, one of the Southeast U.S.’s major public research institutions; Texas A&M University, a research-intensive flagship university, scheduled to open its “Peace Campus” branch in Nazareth, Israel in 2015; UC San Diego, recognized as one of the top 10 public universities by U.S. News and World Report; University of Kansas,  the top-ranked university for city management/urban planning;  and the University of the Incarnate Word, rated among the Southwest United States’ top liberal arts schools and the fourth largest private university in Texas.

The seminar was designed by Project Interchange in consultation with the participating university presidents and chancellors, and will offer broad exposure to the complex issues facing Israel and the region, with the delegation scheduled to meet with senior government, academic and civil society leaders across the Israeli social and political spectrum, and traveling to the West Bank to meet with Palestinian leaders.

“We are honored to host this delegation of American university leaders in Israel. The world-class research and educational facilities at Israeli universities provide a fitting setting to share information, discuss research and academic partnerships, and explore opportunities for mutually-beneficial cooperation,” said Project Interchange Executive Director Robin Levenston.

The program marks Project Interchange’s 8th annual flagship seminar for university presidents. Previous Project Interchange seminars for university presidents have resulted in numerous instances of collaboration between participant universities and their Israeli counterparts.

The delegation includes Presidents and Chancellors from California State University System, California State Fullerton, Clark, Georgia State, Texas A&M, University of California San Diego, University of the Incarnate Word and University of Kansas.

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CONTACT:    Margaret Garcia, associate director public relations, (210) 422-4052, mlgarci2@uiwtx.edu

Project Interchange, a non-profit educational institute of AJC (American Jewish Committee), develops and conducts educational seminars in Israel for current and emerging United States and international leaders. Project Interchange has brought over 6,000 influential figures to Israel from 85 countries and all 50 U.S. states, offering them broad exposure and first-hand understanding of the complex issues facing Israel and the region.www.projectinterchange.org