Cornerstone Laying Ceremony for Helmsley Medical Technologies Building at HIT

On March 23rd, the cornerstone for the new Helmsley Medical Technologies Building was laid on campus, in the presence of Mr. Sandor Frankel, Trustee of the Helmsley Charitable Trust, his actively engaged wife Ruth Frankel and the leadership of HIT.

 

 

The ceremony marked the Trust's transformative $5.45 million gift to establish this state-of-the-art building bearing the Helmsley name which will significantly advance Israel's medical innovation landscape.

 

In his remarks, Mr. Frankel emphasized the Trust's commitment to Israel's technological future: "The investment in the Medical Technologies Building at HIT is part of our commitment to supporting research and technological innovation, which contribute to Israel's future and strengthen its position as a global leader in science and technology."

 

Mr. Sandor Frankel, Trustee of the Helmsley Charitable Trust

“Being a leading academic institution with a Zionistic nature, HIT opens the doors for creative students from 384 towns and villages in Israel with an emphasis on diversity, social mobility, and accessibility of higher education for a broad spectrum of Israeli society”’ said Prof. Eduard Yakubov President of HIT in his speech.

 

Prof. Eduard Yakubov President of HIT

 

Prof. Adir Pridor, Chairman of the Executive committee, said that his is a festive day for the Israeli academy, equivalent to the inauguration of the first university in Israel - the Hebrew University of Jerusalem 100 years ago.

 

Prof. Adir Pridor, Chairman of the Executive committee

 

Dr. Refael Barkan, VP for entrepreneurship, innovation and internationalization and founder of the Department of Digital Medical Technologies said in his speech :” We at HIT have taken it upon ourselves to lead the revolution of integrating technology and AI into the curriculum of health profession programs (such as: nursing, occupational therapy, speech therapy, physiotherapy and more), thereby adapting them to the 21st century and creating a new breed of health professionals who speak both languages: technology and health-medicine.

 

Dr. Refael Barkan, VP for entrepreneurship, innovation and internationalization

 

This is what we have done in the unique and groundbreaking program of Digital Medical Technologies – on the one hand, we train medical data analysts with a broad understanding of AI and medical science for the MedTech industry and on the other hand, we train a new breed of candidates for 4-year MD programs with technological-AI DNA, who will later become physicians who speak and understand data, technology and AI, thereby advancing medical research in Israel and worldwide."

 

Mr. Samuel Goldberg, HIT’s CEO greeted the audience and said “This is a moment that symbolizes much more than a new building – it represents a vision. A vision of an academic institution that understands the needs of tomorrow and is already working today to provide our students with an advanced environment that will enable them to change the world of medicine. I thank the Helmsley Foundation for their trust, support, and partnership in creating a better and healthier future for all of us."

 

Mr. Samuel Goldberg, HIT’s CEO

 

“During the ceremony, Mr. Frankel was presented with a Certificate of Appreciation by third-year student Maya Kimchi, who thanked him on behalf of the Classes of 2026 and 2027 for providing them with an ‘academic home’ for their studies, so important to enhancing their educational journey to becoming health analysts and future MD’s. Mr. Frankel also was presented with a copy of the commemorative scroll that was symbolically buried in the ground of the building site.

 

The state-of-the-art facility will house advanced research laboratories, smart classrooms, collaborative workspaces, and areas specifically designed to foster cooperation between academia and industry.

In an earlier ceremony, Israel's Minister of Education Yoav Kisch and Mayor of Holon Shai Keinan joined HIT's leadership to mark this significant milestone. Minister Kisch expressed his vision during the event, stating: "I am proud to stand here at the cornerstone laying ceremony for the Helmsley Medical Technologies Building."

 

Shai Keinan, Mayor of Holon and Yoav Kisch, Israel's Minister of Education

 

The new Helmsley Building will consolidate all medical technology programs across multiple disciplines under one roof and serve as a center for education, research and technological innovation. This strategic framework will enable students to work collaboratively with doctors, public officials, scientists, and engineers to develop solutions addressing the needs of hospitals, health funds, and the medical industry.

 

Mayor Keinan reinforced the city's support, describing the building as "a significant advancement not only for HIT but for the entire city of Holon. The city views the Holon Institute of Technology as a strategic partner, and we will continue to work together to promote education and innovation."

 

Mr. Frankel and Maya Kimchi, a third-year student

 

Also attending the afternoon event was Dr. Anat Engel, Director General of Wolfson Medical Center, underlining the broad impact the Helmsley-funded initiative will have on the medical technology ecosystem throughout Israel.

 

Photo: Ilanit Kitzoni