The outbreak of the coronavirus has also led to an outbreak of entrepreneurship and volunteering among IDC students, who are mobilizing to help. The following are some of the projects that have been initiated by students:
IDC SCHOOL
Students from the Rabin Leadership Program established the "IDC SCHOOL" project, in which students volunteer to tutor school pupils in various subjects. How does it work? Pupils can post on the project’s Facebook group and one of the students will volunteer to tutor them in the requested subject over ZOOM. Another option is to search the group for posts written by students interested in tutoring in a particular subject and contacting them directly.
For the "IDC SCHOOL - Students Volunteering to Help Pupils" Facebook group click here >>
You can read more about the project in an article published in Tzomet Hasharon, click here >>
An article about the project was also published in Tzomet Hasharon - Raanana, click here >>
Wizers
Students from the Efi Arazi School of Computer Science who also participate in the Zell Entrepreneurship Program set up the Wizers project, which provides a service that helps the elderly with the daily challenges of using technology and digital products. Particularly in these times, when it is difficult to keep in touch with family, the project provides tutorials on how to make video calls, chat online, and even order groceries over the internet.
The project offers remote support and a support center staffed by computer science students. Students accompany the senior citizens every step of the way, resolving problems remotely and quickly.
For more details, click here >>
Interview with Lidor Hezkelo, one of the project’s founders, on Reshet 13’s “HaOlam HaBoker” program, click here >>
Interview with Ori Zilkam, one of the project’s founders, on Kan Bet from 00:47:21, click here >>
Article in Ynet’s Hadashot Tovot section, click here >>
System that analyzes security camera footage and issues alerts when social distancing is not kept
Nadav Loebl, a graduate student of the Efi Arazi School of Computer Science, developed an automated system for educational institutions and businesses that analyzes security camera footage and issues alerts when social distancing is violated by measuring the distance between people and thus warning against the formation of crowds. The system does not require sensors; it analyzes existing footage and can be implemented in any organization that has a security camera system. “The knowledge I gained in my degree helped me develop an efficient system that is simple to operate in a short period of time. I hope it will help all of us stay healthy while complying with the guidelines of the Ministry of Health,” Loebl said.
For article published on N12, click here >>
SITTERSEEKER
SITTERSEEKER is the initiative of two computer science students that provides a platform for connecting medical staff who need help with childcare and volunteers who are glad to help them during the COVID crisis. In the framework of the Hibuk project, the Ruth Vrobel Foundation has been striving to help every medical professional find a suitable volunteer, but the process has been manual and time-consuming. The students’ goal is to provide the foundation with a convenient solution that generates a quick match between volunteers and medical staff who need help based on location and other elements and manages the Hibuk project in a simple and methodical fashion.
For article published in MYNET Herzliya, click here >>
More Than Masks
Matan Rose, a student at the Arison School of Business, established the More Than Masks project in an effort to reduce the feeling of loneliness in the corona wards by printing stickers featuring photos of the healthcare workers’ faces. The medical teams stick the photos with their names and roles onto their protective suits, allowing patients (and other staff members) to get to know and recognize the face behind the mask.
After several weeks of intensive work, over 230,000 stickers were printed and distributed in about 42 wards across the country (to over 2,100 medical staffers). The venture is voluntary, non-profit and based on donations. Today, the More Than Masks continues to produce stickers through a digital platform that was developed in collaboration with HP Indigo, so that every doctor can easily upload a photo and receive a sticker.
For more details, click here >>
For report that aired on Kan 11’s main news program, click here >>
Smile
An undergraduate computer science student, in collaboration with students from Shenkar College, established a new social initiative to help small businesses overcome the crisis. The non-profit venture gives a boost to small and medium-sized businesses in the country, allowing them to maintain some revenue stream even during the crisis, and thereby stay afloat.
The venture’s method is for customers to buy discount vouchers for future purchases, with the understanding that every shekel of theirs today is worth more in the future. In this way, businesses (of all kinds) can succeed in maintaining a financial balance, even during this difficult time.
For article published in MYNET Herzliya, click here >>
Red Heart
Assaf Dubinsky, an undergraduate student in law and government, partnered with Hapoel Haifa Basketball Club’s "Red Heart" charity in order to raise funds for the purchase of protective equipment for nursing homes in Israel.
For more details, click here >>
Article published on the Mako website, click here >>
In Chadashot Haifa VeHaTzafon, click here >>
LiveBee
Graduate students in the GMBA Innovation and Entrepreneurship track have set up one social platform that brings together all of the personal fitness trainers and those who want to work out live online. The students organized a mass fundraising workout on Zoom, led by Anat Harel, with 1000 participants. All of the donations were transferred to the organization “Latet,” which is currently working around the clock to assist Holocaust survivors and the elderly in Israel.
For more details, click here >>
"Telephone Friend"
The project "Telephone Friend" was conceived by a group of students from IDC’s Baruch Ivcher School of Psychology in the shadow of COVID-19 out of the need and desire to provide emotional support to the elderly who have been asked to stay at home. The aim of the project is to connect students to elderly citizens from all over the country. Elderly people need someone to talk to now more than ever, and so the project's volunteers speak to them on the phone on a regular basis. The initiative already has more than 100 volunteers and is carried out under the close supervision of the faculty of the school of psychology.
More information can be found on the website, click here >>
Yael Halevi and Ofri Damari, two of the project’s founders, on Reshet 13’s “Potchim Yom”, click here >>
Orian Gavish, one of the project’s founders, on Keshet 12’s “Galit and Yoav,” from 00:03:11, click here >>
DOOR2DOOR
A number of students from various schools at IDC joined together with friends from other institutions, and in collaboration with Birthright Israel Excel, established the DOOR2DOOR initiative.
The project comprises a large network of volunteers who help at-risk groups get medication and food without leaving home.
For more details, click here >>
Lior Avisar and Ben Segal, two of the project’s founders, on Kan 11’s Saturday news edition, click here >>
Lior Avisar in an interview on the program “Yihiyeh Beseder” on Galei Tzahal ,from 00:50:52, click here >>
Job Listings in the Shadow of COVID
Within a matter of days, about 7,000 people joined the Facebook group "Job Listings in the Shadow of COVID,” started by IDC Herzliya graduate Inesa Bass, who had recently been let go from her job. She also recruited other IDC students and graduates to help with the project.
For the Facebook group, click here >>
for Interview with Inesa Bass in Tzomet Hasharon, click here >>
for Article published in Tzomet Hasharon - Raanana, click here >>
Listening Room for people in quarantine
Students from IDC’s Baruch Ivcher School of Psychology set up a Facebook group called "Listening Room for People in Quarantine during the COVID Pandemic," in order to provide emotional support for people in isolation or lockdown and refer them to professionals when necessary.
For the Facebook group, click here >>
for Interview with Natalie Atia, one of the group’s founders, on the program "Paula and Leon" on Keshet 12, from 00:33:00, click here >>
