Historic Agreement Signed for International Medical School Campus in Eilat

A landmark agreement was signed in Eilat on Wednesday, September 9, to establish Israel's first international medical school campus, a joint venture with the University of Debrecen, Hungary. The initiative aims to expand medical education opportunities within Israel, increase the number of physicians, and bolster the medical and academic infrastructure in Eilat and the southern region.

The first 20 students have already begun their studies in Hungary and are scheduled to arrive in Eilat in February. The signing ceremony was attended by Israeli Education Minister Yoav Kisch, Eilat Mayor Eli Lankri, Hungarian Ambassador to Israel Zoltán Szentgyörgyi, Knesset member Moshe Danino, representatives from the Council for Higher Education, and other dignitaries.

The agreement was formally signed by Minister Kisch, Mayor Lankri, Dr. Moshe Cohen (founder and CEO of Medical Doctor Academy), Prof. Attila Jenei (Vice Rector of the University of Debrecen), Prof. Norbert Nemeth (Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Debrecen), Prof. Ron Maimon (representing the President of Ariel University), Prof. Ehud Grossman, and Dr. Ziv Paz (Clalit Health Services).

The memorandum of understanding states that the campus will serve as a premier center for medical training and education at Israel's southern gateway, fostering a bridge between nations. The partners declared that medicine is a language of peace and that shared learning fosters friendship and mutual respect between Israel and Hungary.

This collaborative project involves the University of Debrecen, Ariel University, Clalit Health Services, the Eilat Municipality, and the Medical Doctor Academy, with support from the Israeli government. It seeks to address the national challenges of increasing the physician workforce and strengthening healthcare and academia in peripheral areas. The campus will integrate studies, clinical training, and the healthcare needs of the region, ultimately enhancing medical services for residents and tourists in Eilat and the South.