Israel's Universities Welcome Over 350,000 Students for New Academic Year
Translated & summarized from Vesty by baba
Israel's new academic year began on October 11 with 350,900 students enrolled in 57 higher education institutions, a 2.1% increase from last year. Demand is highest for medicine, dentistry, architecture, and engineering, while mathematics and computer science saw a decrease. Strategic efforts are underway to expand medical education, and new faculties and an AI academic center are being established. Diverse demographic groups show increased participation, and Israeli students have a higher rate of timely bachelor's degree completion compared to the OECD average.
The story in 7 lines · by baba
- Over 350,000 students began the new academic year in 57 Israeli higher education institutions on October 11.
- Medical, dental, architecture, and engineering programs are in highest demand among Israeli students.
- Enrollment in mathematics, statistics, and computer science programs has declined.
- Israel plans to increase medical school admissions to address a shortage of physicians.
- New faculties and an academic center for artificial intelligence are being established.
- Diverse demographic groups, including ultra-Orthodox and Arab students, show increased enrollment.
- Israeli students complete bachelor's degrees on time at a higher rate than the OECD average.
Israel's new academic year commenced on October 11, with 350,900 students enrolling across 57 higher education institutions, marking a 2.1% increase from the previous year. The student body comprises 262,083 pursuing bachelor's degrees, 68,497 master's degrees, and 12,356 doctoral degrees, with an additional 781 on special programs. According to the Council for Higher Education (CHE), while student numbers grew across all levels, the most significant increases were observed at colleges and the Open University.
High demand persists for medicine, dentistry, architecture, and engineering programs. There is also growing interest in pedagogy, law, social sciences, and artificial intelligence. Conversely, enrollment in mathematics, statistics, and computer science programs has declined. In response to a national shortage of physicians, a strategic decision has been made to expand medical education capacity. This year, 1,404 students were admitted to medical faculties, an 11% increase, with projections for 1,560 next year.
New faculties have been established at Reichman University, the University of Haifa, and the Weizmann Institute. In northern Israel, the Tel-Hai Academic College has been elevated to university status, becoming the University of Kiryat Shmona in the Galilee. Approximately 490 million shekels have been allocated for the creation of an academic center focused on artificial intelligence.
The CHE also highlighted the increasing participation of diverse demographic groups. This includes 20,006 students from the ultra-Orthodox education system, a 6.2% rise, along with 65,386 Arab sector students and 4,770 individuals of Ethiopian origin. Women constitute 58.6% of the total student population. Data from the OECD indicates that approximately 61% of Israeli students complete their bachelor's degrees within the standard timeframe, significantly higher than the OECD average of 43%.
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