High Emphasis on Education and Science

One of Israel's biggest advantages has been its high level of education: 60% of the active population is educated up to high school level, a phenomenon that has been boosted by the arrival of an impressive number of researchers from the former Soviet Union. While Israel does not possess any natural resources (no petrol, no gas, and insufficient water resources), this country is distinguished by very skilled human resources with very high levels of education and qualification.

Education in Israel is understood to be a precious legacy. Following the tradition of past generations, it continues to carry a fundamental value in Israel's society and is recognized as the key to its future. Education is notably considered a fundamental component of the Jewish religion.

The availability of high-quality universities and compulsory military service explain this highly qualified work force. ^[7] Israel's universities and research institutions, such as the Technion (Israel Institute of Technology) and the Weizmann Institute, are world-class. In addition, military service in National Defense Forces is compulsory in Israel. This service provides young people with technical and practical experience by insisting on group work in fields such as technology.

Most new start-ups are created by young men who became friends and used to work together during their military service in R&D laboratories and elite army units. In the framework of partnership between the Technion and new start-ups, managers are very often retired soldiers who left the army at 42 years of age. Belonging to the scientific and technological elite of the nation, they are usually willing to meet the challenge of managing a new start-up with a modest salary, because they still receive their military wage. Thus, the Israeli military service and the very prominent role of military defense in Israeli society is a crucial catalyst for high-tech development.

Israeli Universities Support Industry

Universities play an active role in the economic develoment of Israel. Professor Michel Revel, from the Weizmann Institute of Science, gives his perspective on the link between the academic world and Industry. Prof. Revel is a member and rapporteur in the UNESCO International Bioethics Committee, chairman of the Bioethics Advisory Committee of the Israel National Academy of Science, president of the board of the World Association for Medical Law, and chairman of the National Biotechnology Committee for Israel.

Michel Revel

Israeli universities are working in close collaboration with industry and facilitating the develoment of focused research centers

The impact of the academic world on Israeli life is very strong. The Israeli public recognizes the role of the university and of the academic world in the survival of the state of Israel. From the foundation of Israel there was early recognition of the importance of academic science. Actually the universities started before the country existed.

The link between the university and industry is very close and allows flexibility. A professor of the Weizmann Institute is free to work in a company one day a week. There is great freedom to work for industry, and to spend a decent amount of time working on private activities.

What is more, there is a very intimate relationship between the academic world and the state. The state has located industrial parks around universities, making it possible to easily go from university to industry.

In the biotechnology field for example, we created national centers for the relevant technologies in genomics, proteomics, transgenic animals, transgenic plants, bioinformatics, and in high-throughput screening. All these centers were created with the help of the Israeli government. They serve both the university and industry. Industry pays for the service and these national centers make the technology available to the research community.

This close interaction between Israeli universities and the industrial world is a key characteristic of the Israeli model.