IDC Herzliya has received approval from the Council for Higher Education (CHE) to open doctoral programs and confer PhDs in Computer Science and Psychology.
The approval was given following visits by two international expert committees, who examined the plans for the doctoral programs and the academic achievements of the faculties of IDC's Schools of Computer Science and Psychology and determined that by both of these measures, IDC meets the standards accepted by leading research institutions in Israel and the world.
In response to the approval, IDC President and Founder Prof. Uriel Reichman said, "Five years ago, after a thorough academic examination by the the CHE, IDC Herzliya was recognized as a research institution. Two years ago, the decision was taken to authorize IDC to grant PhDs in Law, and last Thursday we were given the approval to confer PhDs in Computer Science and Psychology.
"The reports of the international committees confirm the excellence in research and teaching that we have here at IDC, and the CHE decision allows us to add another layer of academic excellence and to advance intensive and innovative research at two additional superb schools – the Efi Arazi School of Computer Science and the Baruch Ivcher School of Psychology."
Prof. Reichman added: "Since its inception 26 years ago, IDC Herzliya has proven that excellence in research can exist alongside excellence in teaching and education for leadership and social responsibility. In a relatively short period of time, we have become a leading institution, with close to 8,000 students enrolled in our ten schools, 2,000 of which are students of the international school, the only one of its kind in Israel. We have made significant and groundbreaking achievements, all without budgetary support from the government. Today, IDC Herzliya is recognized as a highly-accomplished research institution, alongside the top universities in Israel."
The Council for Higher Education's decision was based on recommendations made by members of the two international committees appointed by the CHE. These committees emphasized the quality of research and teaching in schools, as well as the quality of students and programs offered within them. The committees noted the uniqueness of the concept of interdisciplinarity that is built into the curricula and the extensive research activities carried out in the laboratories and research institutes operating within the schools.
