נקודות מפגש, نقاط التقاء, Meeting Points is the flagship program of the Diversity Unit, launched in 2022 with the generous support of the Schusterman Foundation. The program is founded on the belief that academia serves as the most central and effective meeting space for students from diverse social and national backgrounds, with a particular focus on Jewish-Arab engagement. It aims to maximize this impact through a multidimensional approach that spans all spheres of activity in academia, emphasizing intergroup relations, fostering success, and reducing gaps.
Program Initiatives :
Intercultural Entrepreneurship Incubator
Strengthening Connections with Issawiya
Fostering a Sense of Belonging
Academic Track
- Developing and integrating diversity and inclusion-driven teaching methodologies, including faculty training workshops and professional guidance
- Supporting academic units in implementing deep processes
- Expanding tutorial groups
- Offering spoken Arabic courses and mixed study groups
- Supporting specialized courses that promote diversity and inclusion
Support for Arab Students
- "Personal Navigation for Success"-Developing and implementing group and individual counseling workshops designed to help students prepare for academic studies.
- Graduate Student Scholarships Financial support for students pursuing advanced degrees who participate in designated programs.
- Academic Advancement Fund – A dedicated fund covering academic expenses for Arab graduate students pursuing professional training abroad.
Intercultural Entrepreneurship Incubator
- A broad support network for extracurricular activities, primarily managed by the Center for Multiculturalism within the Social Engagement Unit at the Dean of Students’ Office. This includes intercultural leadership programs, a multicultural theater and music ensemble, campus diversity initiatives, flagship events, and more.
- Intercultural Ambassadors Program – "Diversity Ambassadors"
- The Asper Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation hosts an Arabic-speaking entrepreneurship community and "Social Accelerator" program.
Student Dorms
Housing Committee: The student housing community is a diverse ecosystem in itself, fostering a shared living environment. The Diversity Unit, in collaboration with the Student Housing Division at the Dean of Students’ Office, operates a Multicultural Housing Committee with representatives from all campuses. The committee works to promote inclusive initiatives and establish diversity and inclusion-centered community standards.
Strengthening Connections with Issawiya
The Mount Scopus Campus borders the Issawiya neighborhood, making the connection between the university and the local community both natural and essential. In collaboration with the Jack, Joseph & Morton Mandel School for Advanced Study in the Humanities, the Diversity Unit is advancing an academic preparation and outreach initiative, supporting motivated young individuals with the potential to pursue higher education.
Fostering a Sense of Belonging
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Students from diverse backgrounds, particularly those from the Arab community, often experience a lack of belonging, and feelings of isolation and unfamiliarity. Strengthening their sense of belonging is a key priority for Hebrew University.
- Hawiyya-Identity Program: As part of the Meeting Points | نقاط التقاء initiative, the Diversity Unit leads the Hawiyya-Identity Leadership Program, designed for students from various groups within the Arab sector. Now in its third year, the program is led by Attorney Nasreen Alyan and coordinated by Dina Abu Khalaf.
- Academic Reserve Program:The Academic Reserve Program supports Arab students pursuing advanced degrees, and is led by Alaa Iktash.