“Entrepreneurship and innovation, which are so clearly demonstrated at the Center for Digital Innovation (CDI) that you are visiting right now, are our top priority. In parallel, we see our role as the executive arm of developing the Negev,” BGU President Prof. Rivka Carmi told Science, Technology and Space Minister Ofir Akunis (pictured above left) during a visit to CDI at the Gav Yam Negev Advanced Technologies Park adjacent to the University on Tuesday.
During the visit, Vice President and Dean for Research and Development Prof. Dan Blumberg revealed that, according to student surveys conducted recently, more than 50% of alumni would be happy to remain in the Negev if they found employment in the area.
CDI founder and CEO Ziv Ofek explained the vision of CDI, which was founded in 2015 in conjunction with the University, and focuses on practical technologies that improve the lives of individuals. The center has chosen four areas to concentrate on: digital health, welfare, education, and smart cities.
Akunis toured the Deutsche Telekom Innovation Labs@BGU with Prof. Ronen Brafman of the Department of Computer Science and Yisrael Mirsky of the Department of Information Systems Engineering who discussed their research activities.
