Amid the ongoing political, economic, and social challenges in the Middle East, fostering scientific collaboration with the region has never been more crucial. During a recent delegation visit to Israel, the Helmholtz Association, the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), and the German Rectors' Conference (HRK) reaffirmed their commitment to intercultural dialogue and closer cooperation in research, education, and entrepreneurship. At the heart of the visit were new exchange agreements between KIT, the Tel Aviv University, the University of Haifa, and Hasoub, the first Arab innovation hub in Israel.
"Science knows no borders. Especially in times of geopolitical tensions, it is vital to use research and innovation as bridges for collaboration and understanding," said KIT President Professor Jan S. Hesthaven. "I am delighted that these new exchange programs will create precisely such connections."
A key milestone of the visit was the signing of a cooperation agreement between the Helmholtz Office Israel, KIT, and Hasoub, hosted at the German Embassy in Tel Aviv. The event was attended by German Ambassador Steffen Seibert and HRK President Professor Walter Rosenthal. In addition, KIT formalized partnership agreements with the University of Haifa and Tel Aviv University, further strengthening its ties to Israel's academic and innovation ecosystem.
Expanding Exchange, Cooperation, and Diversity
"We are thrilled to deepen our long-standing collaboration with Hasoub and to expand KIT's bilateral exchange programs with leading Israeli universities," said Andrea Frahm, Head of the Helmholtz Office Israel. "With its unique integration of university and research centre, and its strong focus on entrepreneurship, KIT is an ideal partner for fostering innovation-driven exchange."
Rabea Zioud, co-founder and CEO of Hasoub, emphasized the importance of this partnership: "The Helmholtz Office Israel and KIT have been key supporters of Hasoub since our innovation centre was founded three years ago. I am delighted that we are now expanding our excellent cooperation."
HRK President Professor Walter Rosenthal highlighted the broader significance of these initiatives: "The work of KIT and the Helmholtz Office Israel is exemplary for Germany's entire higher education landscape. Strengthening ties between universities, research institutions, and the start-up scene contributes significantly to the region's future. Hasoub is an impressive grassroots movement, inspiring Arab students across Israel's universities to engage in entrepreneurship-fostering diversity in Israel's innovation ecosystem."
Founded in 2014, Hasoub is an Israeli non-profit organization dedicated to increasing the participation of the Arab community in Israel's high-tech sector, making the country's renowned start-up ecosystem more inclusive.
The new partnership between KIT, Hasoub, and the Helmholtz Office Israel will support student, researcher, and start-up exchanges, fostering deeper collaboration. Additionally, the Helmholtz Office Israel aims to expand cooperation
About Helmholtz
Helmholtz contributes to solving major and pressing societal, scientific, and economic challenges through scientific excellence in six research fields: Energy, Earth and Environment, Health, Information, Matter, as well as Aeronautics, Space, and Transport. With approximately 46,000 employees in 18 research centers and an annual budget exceeding 6 billion euros, Helmholtz is the largest scientific organization in Germany. Its work follows in the tradition of the great natural scientist Hermann von Helmholtz (1821-1894).
About Helmholtz Israel
The Helmholtz Office in Tel Aviv is the official representation of the Helmholtz Association in Israel and serves as the primary point of contact for existing and future partners in research, innovation, business, and politics. Located in the heart of the Start-up Nation, the office advises both Helmholtz representatives and Israeli stakeholders on bilateral cooperation opportunities and promotes initiatives for knowledge and technology transfer across all R&D fields.
Being "The Research University in the Helmholtz Association", KIT creates and imparts knowledge for the society and the environment. It is the objective to make significant contributions to the global challenges in the fields of energy, mobility, and information. For this, about 10,000 employees cooperate in a broad range of disciplines in natural sciences, engineering sciences, economics, and the humanities and social sciences. KIT prepares its 22,800 students for responsible tasks in society, industry, and science by offering research-based study programs. Innovation efforts at KIT build a bridge between important scientific findings and their application for the benefit of society, economic prosperity, and the preservation of our natural basis of life. KIT is one of the German universities of excellence.
