HIT bestows Honorary Degrees upon five prominent public figures

Innovative, Pioneering, Socially Committed: HIT recognizes five outstanding individuals at its 2023 Honorary Degree ceremony.

Photo: Ofer Amram

Last night, HIT – Holon Institute of Technology, hosted hundreds of guests in the Peres Center for Peace and Innovation to honor five outstanding individuals for their contributions to advancing academia, society and technology in Israel. In a distinguished Honorary Degree ceremony, HIT bestowed its highest honor upon Prof. David Harel, President of the Israel National Academy of Sciences and Humanities, Prof. Ronni Gamzu, CEO of the Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center – Ichilov, Naomi Stuchiner, Founder and President of "Beit Issie Shapiro", Meir Spiegler, past CEO of The National Insurance Institute and current CEO of the Israel Electric Company, and Mr. Ziv Aviram, co-founder of the Israeli high-tech giant Mobileye.

During the ceremony, it was an emotional moment when Ms. Naomi Stuchiner was presented with flowers by Roni Aharon, who from the tender age of one was a part of the Beit Issie Shapiro family. Roni’s mother Betty and and Guy Geva, a graduate of the Faculty of Design’s Department of Industrial Design, joined her on stage to help pay a well-deserved tribute to Ms. Stuchiner. Guy designed a special Purim costume for wheel-chair bound Roni last year as part of a joint project between HIT and "Beit Issie Shapiro" The meeting was truly moving and there was not a dry eye in the house.

"I am proud of the five recipients of the degrees who more than anything, fulfill the words of Winston Churchill: “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give”, quoted Pini Cohen, Chairman of the Board of Trustees HIT in his remarks.

"The recipients of the honorary degrees have contributed to Israeli society through the enormous enterprises they have built. Their contribution to science and humanity is immeasurable," said Prof. Adir Pridor, Chairman of the Executive Committee.

By hosting the awards ceremony at the Peres Center for Peace and Innovation, HIT gave expression to its worldview and values, which reflect the vision of the late President Shimon Peres as regards the importance of innovation, entrepreneurship and technology in the development of the State of Israel. For this, the late Mr. Shimon Peres received a Lifetime Achievement award from HIT in 2016.

As is its tradition, HIT - Holon Institute of Technology awards honorary degrees to figures who in practice reflect the Institute's vision and core values. First and foremost is academic excellence, alongside the accessibility of higher education to all sectors of Israeli society. The Institute also strives to fulfill its role as the "Academy of Industry", and to develop and maintain extensive links with Israeli industry. Every year, HIT’s top-notch graduates in technology, engineering and other high-tech disciplines rapidly integrate into the job market and help advance the economy and society in Israel.

"We in the city of Holon, work in close collaboration with HIT and are confident that it will receive the status it deserves in the higher education system in Israel and become a university. I am delighted that these five recipients were honored, and I congratulate them. These are individuals who have contributed made huge contributions to academia, society and industry. They represent the values which guide us,” said Moti Sasson, Mayor of Holon.

"When we began awarding honorary degrees, we gave great thought as to how best assess the worthiness of the candidates. Ultimately, we came to the conclusion that first and foremost, an honoree of HIT would have to be an individual who, through their boundless achievements, brought great honor to the State and People of Israel and so, I would like to thank this year’s outstanding recipients, who through their unique persona and impressive deeds, embodied the true spirit of these awards. It is an honor for us to honor you," said the President of HIT, Prof. Eduard Yakubov.

Speaking on behalf of the 2023 honorees, the President of the Israeli National Sciences Academy, Prof. David Harel, aptly concluded his remarks by summing up the creed of HIT: "The unique combination of education, science and innovation has always been the ideological compass of the Holon Institute of Technology. On behalf of the recipients, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for this honor. "

Posted: 05/01/2023