Page 28 - PresidentReport2024Portrait

At the beginning of the academic year, HAC Prof. Avi Besser, Chair of HAC’s Department
hosted the Czech Ambassador to Israel, The of Communication Disorders, and a member of
Honorable Veronika Kuchyňová Šmigolová the Council for Higher Education, was appointed
along with the Embassy’s Science, Research Chairperson of the Higher Committee
and Development Attaché, Mr. Lukas for the Appointment of Professors in the
Pribyil. After a tour of the various departments, Social Sciences, Management, and Law.
accompanied by HAC leadership, President Prof. This landmark appointment, the first of its

Bertold Fridlender thanked the Ambassador kind for a college representative (as opposed

and Attaché for their interest and time, and to university), testifies to Prof. Besser’s stellar

expressed his belief that the visit would lead to reputation and helps to strengthen the standing

fruitful and creative collaborations. of public colleges within the Council for Higher

Education.

Margulies Family Names
Department for the Development
of Children With Special Needs

HAC is thrilled to announce that our dedicated friends and supporters, Trisha and Fred Margulies,
have made a generous commitment to name the Department for the Development of Children
with Special Needs. This remarkable contribution will make a lasting impact on the College and
this professional field in Israel. The newly named Department offers a groundbreaking M.A. degree
program, the only one of its kind in Israel. The program was designed to train students for senior
leadership roles in settings that provide treatment for children with special needs. By emphasizing a
multidisciplinary approach, the program provides comprehensive training that incorporates principles
from various clinical disciplines, special education, psychology, and social work.

Program graduates will become qualified to manage the Child Development Institutes located in
major Israeli hospitals, as well as various community-based programs that care for young children
with significant developmental disabilities. We are deeply grateful to Trisha and Fred Margulies for
their unwavering support and visionary leadership. Their commitment will empower future leaders
in this field to make a meaningful difference in the lives of children with special needs and their
families across Israel.

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