Yishai Fraenkel

Yishai Fraenkel is a well-known leader in higher education and technology. Since November 2017, he has served as the Director General and Vice President of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, where he oversees the university's finance, human resources, operations, development, and infrastructure. Alongside his administrative duties, Fraenkel teaches graduate-level business administration and education courses. His extensive career includes nearly two decades at Intel Corporation, where he held various senior leadership roles, including General Manager of the Jerusalem R&D Centre and Vice President at Intel's New Technologies Group, focusing on advanced technologies like augmented and virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and autonomous machines.

Fraenkel's contributions extend beyond the academic and technological spheres. He has been an active member of several boards and committees, including the Council for Higher Education in Israel, where he worked on integrating underprivileged students into STEM education and Haredi communities into the higher education system. His educational background is equally impressive, holding a PhD in Education and Public Policy from Bar-Ilan University, an MBA in Finance and Strategy from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, a BSc in Mathematics and Computer Science from the same university, and a Bachelor's degree in Humanities with a specialisation in History from the Open University of Israel.

Yishai Fraenkel is a prominent figure in both higher education and technology. Currently, he holds the positions of Director General and Vice President at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, a role he has been in since November 2017. In this capacity, Fraenkel is responsible for managing the university's finances, human resources, operations, development, and infrastructure. Alongside these responsibilities, he teaches graduate-level courses in business administration and education, contributing directly to the academic development of his students.

Fraenkel’s journey in education and technology began with his academic pursuits. He holds a BSc in Mathematics and Computer Science from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and an MBA in Finance and Strategy from the same institution. He further advanced his education by earning a Bachelor's degree in Humanities with a specialisation in History from the Open University of Israel. Currently, he is a PhD candidate in Education and Public Policy at Bar-Ilan University, demonstrating his ongoing commitment to learning and growth.

Before joining the Hebrew University, Fraenkel had a significant career at Intel Corporation, where he worked for nearly 20 years. During his time at Intel, he held several senior leadership positions. As the General Manager of the Jerusalem R&D Centre, he oversaw the centre's growth, expanding it to host over 1,000 developers and researchers across various technology domains. Fraenkel was also the Director of Software Development in Intel's Perceptual Computing Group, where he led the development of algorithms and software related to augmented and virtual reality, computer vision, and artificial intelligence. His work in these areas has been pivotal in advancing Intel's technological offerings, particularly in 3D development and validation.

In addition to his roles at Intel, Fraenkel was actively involved in the Council for Higher Education in Israel from November 2013 to August 2017. He was a member of the Planning and Budgeting Committee (PBC), where he chaired several key initiatives. One such initiative was integrating underprivileged students into STEM education, which aimed to provide high-quality engineering education to disadvantaged young men and women in Israel. Another important initiative he chaired focused on integrating the Haredi community into the higher education system, ensuring broader access to academic opportunities.

Fraenkel's contributions to education and technology extend to various boards and organisations. He is a board member of the Hebrew University's tech transfer organisation, Yissum, and is actively involved with the Jerusalem Science Museum. He also chairs the board of Snunit, an EdTech organisation focused on online education, and mentors startups at MindCET, an accelerator dedicated to education-related innovations.

Throughout his career, Fraenkel has been recognised for his leadership and vision. His work at the Hebrew University has been instrumental in driving forward the institution's development, both academically and operationally. His efforts at Intel have contributed significantly to advancements in augmented and virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and other cutting-edge technologies. Fraenkel’s dedication to integrating underprivileged and Haredi students into higher education showcases his commitment to creating inclusive educational opportunities for all.

Yishai Fraenkel envisions a future where education and technology work hand in hand to create a more inclusive and innovative society. He believes in broadening access to quality education for all, especially underprivileged and diverse communities, ensuring everyone has the opportunity to succeed. Fraenkel aims to advance technological research and development in fields like AI, AR/VR, and autonomous machines, fostering an environment of continuous innovation. His vision includes strengthening the collaboration between academia and industry, driving progress that benefits society as a whole and preparing future generations for the challenges and opportunities ahead.