32 Scholarships Worth NIS 200k Awarded to Reserve Duty Students at BIU’s Faculty of Engineering

Thirty-two reserve duty students, each having served over 150 days while pursuing their engineering degrees, received scholarships totalling NIS 200,000, donated by Aigent-tech and Globrands companies. This initiative was led by the Faculty of Engineering under Dr. Shahar Alon, Head of the Biomedical Engineering and Neuro-engineering Program.

Among the scholarship recipients was Ron Shalev, a 24-year-old engineering student and reservist who was evacuated from her home near Gaza. The war found her at her home in Ein HaBsor. For two weeks, she actively participated in the community's emergency response center, providing initial support to local residents. She was subsequently called up for reserve duty with her unit operating in northern Israel, completing 150 days of service.

Today, she received a scholarship that will enable her to continue her studies with peace of mind while contributing to the country. Ron's message to fellow students in reserve duty: "We must not give up on ourselves and should know when to ask for help. There are good people here who want to help us and ensure we complete our degrees in the best possible way."

Professor Orit Shefi, the incoming Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, stated: "We woke up on October 7th to a different reality, one we hadn't known before. Our students and researchers found themselves in both the south and north, contributing on all fronts. Sadly, we also suffered losses. Captain Nir Benjamin, who had just completed his studies with us, fell in Gaza."

"This new reality presents unprecedented challenges for academia. Today, it's clearer than ever that breakthrough research and maintaining technological superiority are not just matters of academic prestige - they are vital to our existence in the most literal sense. Training the engineers who will maintain this technological edge, in both high-tech and defence industries, rests on our shoulders."