Bar-Ilan University facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Bar-Ilan University

אוניברסיטת בר-אילן  (Hebrew)
Aerial view of Bar-Ilan University
Other name	BIU
Motto	Impacting tomorrow, today
Type	Public research
Established	1955
President	Arie Zaban
Rector	Amnon Albeck
Principal	Zohar Yinon
Administrative staff	1,250
Students	20,000
Doctoral students	2,200+
Location	Ramat Gan, Tel Aviv District , Israel 32°4′4″N 34°50′33″E / 32.06778°N 34.84250°E / 32.06778; 34.84250
Campus	Urban
Colors	Dark green and sky blue

Anna & Max Webb and Family Psychology Building

Bar-Ilan University (often called BIU) is a big public university in Ramat Gan, Israel. It was started in 1955. Bar-Ilan is one of Israel's largest universities, with about 20,000 students. It also has 1,350 teachers and researchers.

The main goal of Bar-Ilan is to mix Jewish traditions with modern science and learning. The university teaches Jewish heritage to all its students. It also gives them a strong academic education. Bar-Ilan is known for its excellent programs. These include computer science, engineering, and physics. In 2024, the university received a huge donation of $260 million. This money will help them invest even more in science.

History of Bar-Ilan University

Bar-Ilan's first graduation ceremony in 1959

Wengrowsky Family Lookout and Visitors' Center

Bar-Ilan University began with Jewish-American roots. The idea for the university came from a meeting in Atlanta in 1950. Professor Pinkhos Churgin, an American Orthodox rabbi, founded it. He was the first president from 1955 to 1957.

The university is named after Rabbi Meir Bar-Ilan. He was a Religious Zionist leader who inspired its creation. Rabbi Bar-Ilan believed there was a need for a school. This school would teach both modern academic subjects and religious Torah studies.

Student Life and Learning

Bar-Ilan University has many different kinds of students. Both Jewish and non-Jewish students attend. Jewish students must take at least five courses in Jewish studies to graduate. Non-Jewish students can choose other general courses instead.

These Jewish studies courses are taught in different ways. Some are academic courses. Others are more traditional Torah study programs. These are offered by the Machon HaGavoah LeTorah. This center has programs for both men and women. They study Talmud, Jewish law, and Jewish philosophy. These programs are free for all students.

Growth and New Discoveries

Bar-Ilan Faculty of Engineering

HaMachon HaGavoah LeTorah campus

After 1996, the university grew a lot. Many new buildings were added to the campus. New science programs were also started. These include a special center for brain research. There is also a center for nanotechnology. Nanotechnology is the study of very, very small things.

The university also focuses on archaeology. This is the study of ancient history through digging up old sites. Bar-Ilan is involved in important archaeological digs. One example is the Tell es-Safi/Gath archaeological excavations.

In 2008, Bar-Ilan's Faculty of Law did very well. Its graduates achieved the highest average score on the Israeli bar exam. This is the test lawyers must pass to practice law.

In June 2024, the university received a very large donation. An anonymous American donor gave $260 million. This money is for science and technology. It will help hire new researchers and build laboratories. It will also create new partnerships.

What Can You Study at Bar-Ilan?

Bar-Ilan University has nine main areas of study, called faculties. These are:

• Exact Sciences (like math and physics)
• Life Sciences (like biology)
• Social Sciences (like psychology and sociology)
• Education
• Humanities (like history and literature)
• Jewish Studies
• Medicine
• Engineering
• Law

There is also a special unit for studies that combine different subjects. All undergraduate students must take ten courses related to Jewish studies.

Special Programs for Students

Bar-Ilan offers unique programs. One is an international B.A. program. It is taught completely in English. This was the first university in Israel to offer a full undergraduate program in English. Students can choose to study social sciences or communications. These degrees are recognized around the world. They are open to students from any country.

The university also has a program for new immigrants to Israel. It helps them get ready for college. Another program is called Torah im Derech Eretz Program. It combines traditional Jewish studies with general university courses. Many American students take these Jewish history classes. They help fulfill their Jewish studies requirements.

Bar-Ilan also has several research centers. One is the Gonda Multidisciplinary Brain Research Center. It focuses on neuroscience, which is the study of the brain.

Awards and Recognition

The Bar Ilan Responsa Project won the Israel Prize in 2007. This project is a huge digital collection of Jewish texts. The university's Bible project was also saved by a donor.

In 2010, Bar-Ilan's business school was ranked as the fourth best in Africa and the Middle East. This was in the QS Global 200 Business Schools Report.

Famous People Who Studied Here

Many notable people have studied at Bar-Ilan University. Here are a few:

• Ami Ayalon – a former head of the Shin Bet (Israel's security agency).
• Tzipi Hotovely – a diplomat and former politician. She is currently the ambassador of Israel to the United Kingdom.
• Tzipi Livni – a lawyer and politician. She was head of the Opposition for a time.
• Gila Gamliel – an Israeli politician.
• Gadeer Mreeh – the first woman of Druze background to become a member of the Knesset (Israel's parliament).
• Orit Peleg – a professor of biophysics at the University of Colorado.

Tzipi Hotovely	Tzipi Livni	Gila Gamliel
Revital Swid	Michal Waldiger

Notable Teachers and Researchers

Many important teachers and researchers have worked at Bar-Ilan University. Some of them include:

Images for kids

• 

  Faculty of Engineering

• 

  Multidisciplinary Brain Research Center

• 

  Centre for the study of philosophy, ethics and Jewish thought

• 

  Nanotechnology building

• 

  Bar-Ilan Faculty of Medicine

• 

  Bar-Ilan Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science

See also

In Spanish: Universidad Bar Ilán para niños

• List of universities in Israel
• Ashkelon Academic College
• Kinneret College