After a decade, California State program returns to Haifa

Following a decade-long lull in many cooperative programs between Israeli universities and the California State University, a new window of opportunity, opened by Haifa University, now exists for students who want to study abroad.

Haifa University rector, Professor David Faraggi was delighted by the revival of the partnership between the two schools. “This decision confirms the prestige and attractiveness of Haifa University in every respect connected to programs for foreign students,” he said.

Internationalism has been of Faraggi’s chief goals for the university. In June 2011, in his section of the university’s Report of the President and the Rector, Faraggi wrote, “Having the University of Haifa ‘go international’ is an excellent way to upgrade the university and turn it from a peripheral institution on the Israeli higher education scene to a forward-looking institution of international renown.”

The report said that to expand its reach, the university would begin offering foreign students degrees, including non-degree programs in English, and sending more Israeli students abroad. The university hopes to expand its international school to 1,200 students a year over the next five years, opening about 20 international Master’s degree programs that would integrate 500 foreign students a year, among them 100 doctoral students, and also sending about 200 Israelis abroad. Within 10 years, the university hopes to have 2,000 foreign students enrolled in the university per year.

Faraggi, who is the coordinator of the international effort, said, “We are currently in the process of creating graduate programs in English, a much broader process than just integrating foreign students with Israeli students. Our students will learn to be our ambassadors, as part of an overall vision to develop relationships.”

The California State University is the largest university in California, with 23 different campuses and more than 400,000 students. The university halted its partnership with Haifa University in 2002 owing to security concerns.