Ariel University confers honorary doctorates on seven distinguished individuals
At a ceremony held this morning, Ariel University conferred the degree of Doctor Honoris Causa on seven prominent figures from the worlds of culture, health, law, science, security and sport. The 2025 honorees were selected in recognition of their exceptional contributions to Israeli society and the world: Oren Smadga, Israel’s first Olympic judo medalist and a national coach who has led Israeli athletes to historic achievements; Yehoram Gaon, a pillar of Israeli culture; Jude Yovel Recanati, a pioneer in community mental health; Adv. Hagai Sitton, a jurist and public figure who pairs professionalism with ethical and Zionist commitment; Prof. Michal Schwartz, a groundbreaking neuroscientist who has positioned Israel at the forefront of global science; Maj. Gen. (res.) Eliezer Shkedi, former Commander of the Israeli Air Force and an ethical leader who has left a lasting mark on Israel’s security and education; and Prof. Karel Rais, a leading academic and member of the Chamber of Deputies of the Parliament of the Czech Republic, honored for his scientific achievements and longstanding support for the State of Israel and Ariel University.
The ceremony took place in the presence of Prof. Ehud Grossman, President of Ariel University; Maj. Gen. (res.) Ami Shafran, Chair of the Executive Committee; Prof. Albert Pinhasov, Rector; deans of the faculties, members of the Executive Committee, and the honorees’ families. Accepting the degree, Prof. Michal Schwartz said: “Especially in these times, we must value academia’s ability to serve as a showcase for the State of Israel, of its economic and social resilience.” Speaking on behalf of the honorees, Maj. Gen. (res.) Eliezer Shkedi thanked the university’s leadership for the recognition and for emphasizing, alongside each honoree’s professional achievements, their social, educational, and moral commitments.
Prof. Ehud Grossman, President of Ariel University, said:
“Thousands of our students and staff have served in the reserves. We, too, live on a pendulum – often returning to the classroom with a rifle still slung over the shoulder. They remind us that education cannot be detached from life; on the contrary, it must be essential to it. They remind us that the future is built precisely from the connection between personal responsibility and public commitment. This year’s honorary doctorate recipients come from diverse fields – science, education, security, culture, law, diplomacy, and society – but they share a common denominator: the ability to lead, to innovate, to heal, and to shape. They are not only outstanding in their fields; they are symbols of deep commitment to society, to the state, and to the world.”
Video are available here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1wxfCOeSIIFPt5maWalfKeqU_W82BCguM
