"Aliyah to Academia": Ben-Gurion University Launches Groundbreaking Initiative for New Immigrants
Aliyah@BGU is a first-of-its-kind program established by BGU to support the integration of new immigrants pursuing higher education.
The recent surge in global antisemitism has led to a significant increase in the number of new immigrant students studying at Ben-Gurion University. In response to these circumstances, the University established a dedicated unit, Aliyah@BGU, to provide immediate solutions to academic challenges while helping the new students feel at home and thrive in every aspect of university life.
"Our goal is to make Ben-Gurion University a true home for the new immigrants," says Prof. Louisa Meshi, Pro-Rector for Education and head of the newly established unit.
Addressing Challenges Through "Aliyah to Academia"
Currently, nearly 100 new immigrants are enrolled in BGU: some are enrolled in preparatory programs and others are already pursuing undergraduate and graduate degrees. Many of these students arrived in Israel alone, beginning their academic journey through the tailored program "Aliyah to Academia." Hundreds of other students who immigrated in recent years are also pursuing degrees across all academic levels at the university.
Economic hardships and language barriers are among the primary challenges that often hinder immigrants from accessing higher education in Israel. Prof. Meshi conceived the program to eliminate these obstacles for new immigrants seeking academic success. Notably, almost all staff members involved in running the program were once new immigrants themselves, who have united their efforts to ensure its success.
A Story of Success: Liza Myropolska
The journey of student Yelyzaveta Myropolska exemplifies the program's impact. After an acclimation period and overcoming initial challenges, Liza was accepted as a full-time student in the Department of Industrial Engineering and Management. Despite the outbreak of war after October 7, her decision to stay in Israel remained resolute. "I was fortunate to become a student at Ben-Gurion University—this enabled me to achieve a higher education in Israel," Liza shares.
The "Aliyah to Academia" program was initially designed for students from Russian-speaking countries and is the result of collaboration between BGU and Israel's Ministry of Aliyah and Integration. The success of the program, along with the establishment of the Aliyah@BGU unit, owes much to the efforts of Jeff Kaye, Vice President for Public Affairs and Resource Development at BGU.
"None of this would have been possible without the support of University President Prof. Daniel Chamovitz and Rector Prof. Chaim Hames," notes Prof. Meshi. "Their recognition of the potential of new immigrants and the encouragement they provided were crucial in achieving our goals."
A Model for National Success
The program has inspired 27 institutions across Israel to adopt similar initiatives, a testament to its far-reaching impact. "Many of us were once new immigrants," says Prof. Meshi. "We hope that one day, graduates of the University who were part of this program will use their skills to contribute to the advancement of Israel in their respective fields."
