Honorary Degrees Awarded to Prominent Figures in Health, Technology, Society, Science, and Security

HIT Holon Institute of Technology awarded honorary degrees to five prominent individuals for their exceptional contributions to Israeli society in health, technology, culture, science, and security.

From right to left: Mr. Pini Cohen, Prof. Mordechai Shani, Mr. Boaz Levy, Mr. Boris David Kandow, Prof. Eduard Yakubov, Dr. Orna Berry, Prof. Daniel Zajfman, Prof. Adir Pridor.

Photo: Askaf

Mr. Pinchas (Pini) Cohen said in his opening speech: "The future of the State of Israel as a sovereign state and an advanced, prosperous society depends mainly on maintaining our qualitative advantage in science and technology. There are honorees here today before whom I bow my head. In you and your significant work, I see a living fulfillment of Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi's words: What is the right way for a man to choose? That which is honorable in his own eyes and, simultaneously, honorable in the eyes of his fellowmen.
Your magnificent work speaks for itself and serves as an inspiration and source of pride for all of us."

The Chairman of the Executive Committee, Prof. Adir Pridor, said: "This is a unique event. One of the most important things HIT conducts is an event that brings together a group of people who collectively represent an extraordinary concentration of scientific and technological excellence and contributions to human society in general and to Israel in particular. I am moved and happy in the presence of the wonderful group sitting before us in the front row. We are honored to bestow the honorary degree upon you; we appreciate and value your work and contributions and are grateful to you."

The President of HIT, Prof. Eduard Yakubov, congratulated the recipients: "These are five exceptional people who have brought much honor to the country. They have contributed greatly to science and technology, strengthened the country's security, medicine, health system, Jewish people in Israel and the diaspora, and peace. These are the ones who established and turned the State of Israel into a technological power and a high-tech superpower. They are the ones who proved that the sky is not the limit. As an institution of higher education that sees its role as serving the state and training a new generation of scientists, engineers, technologists, designers, and also in medicine, I am proud that we have chosen them."

Prof. Daniel Zajfman, who spoke on behalf of the honorees, praised each of them for their achievements, emphasizing the importance of imparting science education to the younger generation to ensure the country's technological advantage for many years. He said: "As a representative of an exceptional group of honorary degree and lifetime achievement recipients, you are also the best example of a single person who can have a global impact. Thank you for everything you've done so far and remember something significant: this event is not a reason to stop."

He added, "As many of you know and have seen, HIT is much more than an educational institution; it is a breeding ground for talent and trains tomorrow's engineers, scientists, and technology innovation leaders. HIT provides students with an environment that not only imparts knowledge and supports excellence but also allows them to realize their full potential, which I have learned over the years. For me, the best definition of excellence is the full realization of personal potential. Everyone can be something different, but everyone has potential, and a place like HIT can allow each student to realize this potential to the fullest. The Institute's influence extends far beyond technical skills. It reveals a broader mission to advance the State of Israel in a world where science and technology are the engines of progress."

The recipients of the honorary degrees and lifetime achievement award:

Prof. Mordechai Shani - Prof. Shani, an Israel Prize laureate, former Director-General of the Ministry of Health, and Director of Sheba Hospital, initiated and led revolutionary reforms, including the National Health Insurance Law and mental health reform.

Prof. Daniel Zajfman - A world-renowned physicist who served as President of the Weizmann Institute of Science, Zajfman contributed significantly to advancing science education in Israel. He was involved in groundbreaking projects, including particle accelerators, and invested heavily in making science accessible to high school students in the periphery by establishing educational centers.

Dr. Orna Berry - "The First Lady of Israeli High-Tech," Dr. Berry made history as Israel's first female Chief Scientist. She is a director at Google Cloud and is a crucial figure in promoting advanced technologies in Israel and worldwide.

Boaz Levy - CEO of Israel Aerospace Industries, led the development of the "Arrow" and "Barak 8" defense systems, which became the cornerstones of Israel's defense array. Under his management, satellites and defense systems were launched into space, and he is considered a central figure in the global defense industry.

Boris David Kandow - Promoted trade relations between Western countries and the former Soviet Union. He worked tirelessly on nuclear disarmament and promoting global stability. He significantly strengthened academic ties between HIT and scientific institutions in Uzbekistan. He assisted in the release of Jews from the former Soviet Union and Iran, as well as Jewish communities in Euro-Asian countries.

The traditional "Honorary Degree Award" ceremony held annually by HIT - Holon Institute of Technology is further evidence demonstrating the Institute's adherence to the three central values that accompany it – academia, society, and industry – which are engraved on its flag.