Hebrew University of Israel

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem (HUJI) is a public research university located in Jerusalem, Israel. Co-founded by Albert Einstein and Chaim Weizmann in July 1918, it officially opened in April 1925, making it the second-oldest Israeli university, six years younger than the Technion. The university has three campuses in Jerusalem and one in Rehovot. Until 2023, the world's largest library for Jewish studies, the National Library of Israel, was housed on its Edmond J. Safra campus.

HUJI has established 6 campuses: Three in Jerusalem, one in Rehovot, a veterinary hospital in Beit Dagan, and the Interuniversity Institute for Marine Sciences in Eilat. The university has over 25K
Students and about 1,000 faculty studying and researching at the hundreds of HUJI units.

HUJI has five affiliated teaching hospitals, including the Hadassah Medical Center, seven faculties, over 100 research centres, and 315 academic departments. As of 2018, it educated one-third of Israel's doctoral candidates. The university's first board of governors included Sigmund Freud and Martin Buber. Four Israeli prime ministers are alumni, and it boasts 8 Nobel Prize winners, two Fields Medalists in Mathematics, and two Turing Award winners among its affiliates. It is ranked 77th globally.

The university's foundation was rooted in the Zionist movement's vision for a Jewish university in the Land of Israel. The cornerstone was laid in July 1918, and it opened in April 1925 on Mount Scopus. The initial debate over the university's language was resolved in favour of Hebrew. By 1947, HUJI had grown significantly, but the 1948 Arab-Israeli War cut off access to Mount Scopus, leading to the construction of a new campus at Givat Ram. Post-1967, HUJI returned to Mount Scopus after the reunification of Jerusalem. In 2017, HUJI launched a marijuana research centre.

HUJI is ranked as Israel's top university and consistently performs well in global rankings, especially in mathematics, where it has been among the top institutions worldwide.

The university has more than 10K patents registered in 3000 inventions and more than 180 start-ups.

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem (HUJI) has its roots in the Zionist movement's vision for a Jewish university in the Land of Israel. The idea was initially proposed during the 1884 Kattowitz (Katowice) conference of the Hovevei Zion society and later by Hermann Schapira at the First Zionist Congress in 1897.

On July 24, 1918, the cornerstone of the university was laid. The campus on Mount Scopus officially opened on April 1, 1925, with a grand ceremony attended by prominent Jewish leaders, scholars, and British dignitaries, including the Earl of Balfour, Viscount Allenby, Winston Churchill, and Sir Herbert Samuel. Judah Magnes served as the university's first chancellor from 1924 to 1935 and then as president until 1948.

A significant debate during the university's formation centred on its official language. The "Germanists" advocated for German and Arabic for non-Jewish subjects, fearing Modern Hebrew's limitations in academic discourse. However, the symbolic importance of Hebrew led to its selection as the university's official language. Shmaryahu Levin consulted Jewish European scholars, including Ignaz Goldziher, whose recommendations helped shape the university's initial academic focus on oriental languages, Jewish literature, and archaeology.

By 1947, HUJI had grown significantly, with plans for a medical school and a law faculty approved in 1949. The university's agricultural institute became a full-fledged faculty in 1952. During the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, the Mount Scopus campus was cut off from Jerusalem, leading to the construction of a new campus in Givat Ram, completed in 1958. Classes were temporarily held in various locations across the city. After the Six-Day War in 1967, the university regained access to Mount Scopus, which was rebuilt and became the main campus again in 1981.

Several notable figures served as presidents of the university, including Benjamin Mazar, Eliahu Eilat, and Menachem Magidor. The university faced tragedy on July 31, 2002, when a terrorist attack at the "Frank Sinatra" cafeteria killed nine people and injured over 70. The attack drew condemnation from world leaders.

In recent years, the university has continued to innovate, launching a marijuana research centre in 2017 to study cannabis and its potential commercial applications. Menachem Ben-Sasson served as president from 2009 to 2017, followed by Asher Cohen.

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem offers a wide range of undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate programs across various disciplines, providing students with comprehensive education and research opportunities.

Undergraduate Programs

Humanities and Social Sciences: The university offers numerous programs in the humanities and social sciences, including History, Philosophy, Archaeology, Hebrew and Jewish Studies, Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies, Political Science, Sociology, Anthropology, Psychology, and International Relations.

Natural Sciences and Mathematics: Students can pursue degrees in fields such as Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Life Sciences, Earth Sciences, Environmental Sciences, and Computer Science.

Law and Business: The Faculty of Law provides a rigorous law program, while the School of Business Administration offers degrees in Business Management, Accounting, Finance, and Marketing.

Agriculture, Food, and Environment: Located at the Rehovot campus, the Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food, and Environment offers programs in Agriculture, Nutrition, Environmental Economics, and Biotechnology.

Medicine and Health Sciences: The Faculty of Medicine, along with the Hadassah Medical Center, offers undergraduate programs in Medical Sciences, Nursing, Occupational Therapy, and Public Health.

Graduate Programs
Humanities and Social Sciences: Graduate students can specialise in advanced studies within History, Literature, Philosophy, Jewish Studies, Sociology, Anthropology, and Political Science, among others.
Natural Sciences and Mathematics: The university offers master's and doctoral programs in Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Life Sciences, Computer Science, and related fields, focusing on cutting-edge research and innovation.
Law: The Faculty of Law provides advanced degrees including Master of Laws (LL.M.) and Doctor of Juridical Science (S.J.D.), with specializations in International Law, Human Rights, and Commercial Law.
Business and Economics: Graduate programs in Business Administration (MBA), Economics, and Accounting prepare students for leadership roles in various sectors, emphasising analytical and managerial skills.
Agriculture and Environmental Sciences: Advanced degrees in Agriculture, Nutrition, Environmental Quality Sciences, and Biotechnology are offered at the Rehovot campus, fostering research that addresses global challenges in food security and sustainability.
Medicine and Health Sciences: The university's medical school offers advanced degrees in Medicine (MD), Medical Sciences, Public Health, and Biomedical Research, supported by the Hadassah Medical Center's facilities.
Postgraduate Programs
Interdisciplinary Research: Postgraduate opportunities include interdisciplinary research centres and institutes focusing on areas such as Brain Sciences, Environmental Studies, Jewish Studies, and Nanotechnology.
Ph.D. Programs: The Hebrew University offers doctoral programs across all faculties, encouraging original research and academic excellence. Students work closely with leading scholars and contribute to significant advancements in their fields.

Postdoctoral Fellowships: Postdoctoral researchers are welcomed in various departments, providing them with opportunities to conduct independent research and collaborate with faculty on innovative projects.
Specialised Programs
International Programs: The Rothberg International School offers a variety of programs for international students, including undergraduate and graduate degrees, study abroad programs, and summer courses in fields such as Israeli and Middle Eastern Studies, Hebrew Language, and Environmental Studies.
Executive Education: The university provides executive education programs tailored for professionals seeking to enhance their skills and knowledge in areas such as Business Management, Public Policy, and Law.
 

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem consistently ranks among the top universities globally, affirming its status as a leading academic institution. According to various global rankings:

Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU): The Hebrew University is typically ranked between 101st and 150th globally.

Shanghai Ranking (ARWU): It ranks 90th in the world according to the latest rankings.

Centre for World University Rankings (CWUR): It is ranked 64th globally in their rankings.

Subject-specific Rankings: In specific disciplines, the university excels, such as being ranked between 301st and 400th in Physics and between 201st and 300th in Computer Science by ARWU.

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem boasts a high job integration rate for its graduates, reflecting the institution's emphasis on excellence and practical skills. Graduates find employment in diverse fields such as technology, finance, academia, healthcare, and public service. The university's strong industry connections, comprehensive career services, and prestigious reputation contribute to the high employability of its alumni. Many graduates secure positions in leading global companies, research institutions, and governmental agencies. The university's robust alumni network further supports job integration, providing valuable connections and opportunities for recent graduates.

• Hebrew University of Jerusalem | Wikipedia
• Hebrew University of Jerusalem | About Us | History 
• Hebrew University of Jerusalem | About Us | Awards and Recognition 
• Hebrew University of Jerusalem | About Us | Leadership
• The Hebrew University of Jerusalem: Rankings, Fees | QS Top Universities
• The Hebrew University of Jerusalem | IITD International
• Hebrew University of Jerusalem | Israel, Research, Education | Britannica
• The Hebrew University of Jerusalem | Masters Portal
• About Hebrew University | The International School of Agricultural Sciences
• Hebrew University of Jerusalem (HU): Jerusalem, Israel | Stanford Law School
• Hebrew University of Jerusalem (Israel) | Rutgers Global 
• Hebrew University of Jerusalem | UCEAP
• Hebrew University of Jerusalem | Times Higher Education
• The Hebrew University of Jerusalem | Masterstudies.com