Prof. Uriel Reichman announces that he is concluding his term as president of Reichman University (IDC Herzliya); Provost Prof. Rafi Melnick will be filling his position until a new president is elected
Prof. Uriel Reichman, president and founder of Reichman University (IDC Herzliya), has announced that, effective immediately, he is concluding his term as president. This announcement comes in the wake of the Council for Higher Education’s official recognition of the institution as a university about two weeks ago, and the change of its name from IDC Herzliya to Reichman University.
Prof. Reichman spoke at a festive farewell event held on Thursday, September 2 on the Reichman University campus, attended by faculty members, donors, friends, and alumni.
“I have fulfilled the mission I undertook in establishing IDC Herzliya,” he said. “It is time to say thank you for the opportunity to realize this vision. It is also the moment to announce that I have decided to end my term as president. IDC was established as a public benefit corporation. Contrary to what was commonly done, we did not ask for or receive any financial support from the state or its institutions. I worked alongside my friends, as an entrepreneur for the public good, without any expectation of stock options or the right to bequeath. Today, with tears of gratitude in my eyes, I am receiving the noblest and greatest reward and recognition for what has been the achievement of my lifetime. I could not hope for more than this institution being named for me.”
Prof. Reichman summed up his remarks by saying, “IDC Herzliya was established as a Zionist university, hence our educational outlook, which is expressed in the words ‘freedom and responsibility.’ We teach our students to go out into the world with faith in themselves and their friends. To be entrepreneurs and not accept the status quo if they don’t like it. To live a life of meaning and personal fulfillment of their aspirations, while at the same time caring first and foremost for those who cannot help themselves. And to be willing to protect, physically and morally, the state and its values. This is the foundation of principles on which we built our university, and the 35,000 graduates of IDC Herzliya carry these values with them.”
During his speech, Prof. Reichman announced that with the end of his term, he will be replaced by Reichman University Provost Prof. Rafi Melnick until a new president is elected. Prof. Reichman will continue his involvement with the university and its growth in the role of chairman of the Board of Directors, an unpaid position.
Among the dignitaries wishing Prof. Reichman well at the event were President of the State of Israel, Isaac (Bougie) Herzog, who said, “27 years ago you founded what has become your greatest achievement. You created an institution that has become a role model in its field; today, IDC Herzliya is an integral part of the academic landscape and of Israeli society as a whole. Israel is deeply ingrained in your soul. You have devoted all of your energy to thinking about how to make it a better place, how to establish an exemplary society of classical liberal Zionism, that of individual and human rights – no small challenge in our changing world. You have always been a man of vision and action. Your role as president of IDC Herzliya will always be remembered as that of a founding leader – a man to be looked up to, a role model.”
Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett also sent greetings, saying, “You took an abandoned military camp and turned it into an empire of education and Zionism. It was a great privilege for me to be the minister of education and chairman of the Council for Higher Education who approved IDC Herzliya becoming a university. Today, we have the honor of saying that Reichman University has been established. A university that embodies excellence and values such as giving back to society and supporting the people who contribute to the country. The road has only just begun; I expect the university to thrive, and for you to look happily upon its flourishing and continued growth.”
Foreign Minister Yair Lapid also conveyed his congratulations: “Prof. Uriel Reichman created something in this world. There are very few people who create something in this world that leads to real and substantial change. Prof. Reichman did this in higher education, in the way in which we see colleges and soon universities, in the way in which we see the young people of this country and what they want going forward. Prof. Uriel Reichman has changed something and I am sure this is not the last change he is going to create in this world.”
Minister of Housing Ze’ev Elkin, who until the last election served as minister of higher education and chairman of the CHE, said: “Prof. Reichman, you made history because you did not give up, because of your determination and excellence. You have done something very honorable for the country. From my acquaintance with the new project you are currently working on, I am sure that not only will you continue to help Reichman University, but that you will also take Israeli academia and innovation to new places in the Middle East. Thank you for everything you have done and for what you will still do.”
