Tel Hai University Opens First Year as University, Aiming to Boost Galilee

Tel Hai University officially commenced its academic year this week, marking its first year operating as a university. The transition, 21 years after a government decision to establish a university in Kiryat Shmona and the Galilee, sees the northern institution begin with approximately 5,000 students across three campuses, under the full name 'Tel-Hai University of Kiryat Shmona in the Galilee.' Edna Raviv, Head of the Department of Human Services, expressed excitement about the vibrant atmosphere, stating, "Ultimately, this is the lifeblood of the region. If there are no students, there is no life for the university. It is the breeding ground that later cultivates researchers, and it is the breeding ground that will bring people to live here in the region." Raviv herself relocated to Kiryat Shmona with her family a year ago, seeing the move to university status as an opportunity to expand research, develop graduate programs, and attract new researchers.

This academic year, Tel Hai has welcomed 14 new researchers, many returning to Israel after postdoctoral studies abroad. The university is also establishing a new cluster for engineering and plans to open a veterinary school. Student enrollment has been on the rise over the past two years, reaching about 5,000 students for the 2026-2027 academic year, a 7% increase from the previous year. The university aims to double its student body to 8,000 within five years. The institution operates across three campuses: Rodberg Campus in Kiryat Shmona, the Western Campus in the Upper Galilee Regional Council, and the Katzrin Campus in the Golan Heights.

University President Eliezer Shalev highlighted the institution's development as part of a broader strategy to strengthen the Galilee and Golan Heights, aiming to become a center of knowledge and excellence for high-tech industries in the north and across Israel. University CEO Eli Cohen, a Kiryat Shmona native, has set a demographic and employment goal to increase the percentage of graduates who remain in the region after completing their studies from the current 8% to at least 30%. To achieve this, the university offers career counseling, mentoring programs, and vocational training to help students integrate into the workforce. Over 70% of students come from outside the Galilee region, with many choosing to reside in Kiryat Shmona and nearby conflict-line communities, contributing to local revitalization.

Raviv emphasized that the university's impact extends beyond academics, serving as an engine for regional growth by attracting new researchers and professionals who settle in the area, thereby stimulating local businesses and services. The university is actively integrating students into the community through practical experience programs, where they contribute to local organizations, often leading to employment opportunities. This approach aims to ensure that graduates become active participants in the region's economic and community development, with the university itself becoming deeply embedded in Kiryat Shmona's urban fabric.