On December 22, 2016, the Contact Center's 7th Annual Conference took place at the Academy, once again highlighting a varied range of opportunities for conducting research and teaching in Israel, from universities, academic college and national research institutions to firms of the high-tech and bio-tech industries. It began with a 4-hour Career Fair, with the participation of 33 institutions which had individual stands throughout the Academy to interview potential faculty. At the same time, 18 companies interviewed potential employees at the fair for industry in the lobby of the connecting Van Leer Institute.

 

Attendees of the Career Fairs have the unique opportunity to meet with representatives of all the universities, colleges, research centers and companies, privately and in one location, to present themselves as candidates for positions and to receive answers to their personal questions. Over the years, the Career Fairs have proven to be another good tool for making initial contacts, breaking the ice and beginning the hiring process, in many cases eventually leading to successful faculty or company acquisitions.

 

Prof. Nili Cohen, Academy President, mentioned the accomplishments of the Contact Center over the years and told about the new Interactive Bulletin Board which is currently being inaugurated. The Keynote Speaker was Zohar Zisapel, founder of RAD Data Communications, who spoke about conducting scientific research in an industrial environment. This year registration doubled and we had to separate into parallel sessions on Absorption in Academia and Absorption in Industry. Academy Member Prof. Moti Segev who returned to the Technion from a full professorship at Princeton, spoke on being a scientist in Israel. Prof. Yaffa Zilbershats, Chair of Vatat, led a panel discussion with the rectors and vice presidents for research of all Israel's universities on reintegration of researchers. Prof. Shlomo Grossman, Chair of Varam, Va'ad Rashei Hamichlalot, spoke about teaching and research in Israel's academic colleges. In the session on Absorption in Industry, Dr. Nurit Eyal, Director of the National Brain Gain Program detailed the assistance they provide for the absorption in industry and gave practical tips on returning to Israel. She conducted a panel of returned PhDs now working in industry and Dr Anat Geifman-Broder gave a workshop on effective tools for job searching.

 

 

 

Prof. Nili Cohen at Career Fair with Batsheva Shor, Galia Finzi and Dr. Meir Zadok