Israel woos Indian Students

As universities from the West to East draw students from India, now Israel is emerging to be another major destination for India students.

With a few of its universities ranked among the top 200, it is the latest player in the international higher education sector to woo potential students from India. Representatives of five universities visited India to meet students and others recently.

According to Giselle Rotman, marketing co-ordinator, Technion Israel Institute of Technology, "The majority of start-ups in Israel are led or set up by Technion graduates. The institute is proud to have three Nobel laureates in the last few years."

Another official pointed to Tel Aviv winning the first prize at the World Smart Cities Awards (best city category) at an expo in Barcelona in November. The country's financial centre "is a global hub for high technology, innovation and entrepreneurships. Tel Aviv University (TAU) and Tel Aviv city are the heart of the start-up nation," commented Dalit Parsser, marketing director, TAU.

Eric Zimmerman, director of research and global engagement, Interdisciplinary Centre Herzliya, said, "The philosophy that guides our international programme is to build bridges between people. This is best done by bringing them together -people like students, teachers and professors."

Students are offered financial support for a range of study options. "Full scholarships are given in natural sciences and desert studies for MA students," said Einat Noy, administrative director (overseas programme), BenGurion University, home to over 90 Indian students.