Prof. (Emeritus) Herzl Aharoni (pictured below) from Ben-Gurion University's Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering has been awarded an Honorary Fellowship from the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), “in recognition of his research achievements in semiconductor technology".
The IET, situated in England, is one of the world's largest engineering institutions. Established in 1871, this month sees the beginning of its 150th anniversary celebrations. It has 169,000 members in over 150 countries and works to engineer a better world by inspiring, informing and influencing their members, engineers and technicians, and all those who are touched by, or touch, the work of engineers.
Prof. Aharoni joined the institution in 2003 and immediately became a Fellow. Honorary Fellowships are awarded to a select few, and, as far can be determined, Prof. Aharoni is the only Israeli to have received this prestigious award.
He commented, “It is a great honor and I feel very privileged and delighted to receive the Honorary Fellowship grade from the IET on its 150th anniversary. I would like to thank the IET for electing me to this distinguished honor. I will carry it with pride and humility.
“I accept this recognition with gratitude as it was awarded to me for my life research on semiconductor-based electronic and optoelectronic materials and devices for over fifty years.
“I would like to wish the IET that its next 150 years will be as productive and fruitful as the last."
On awarding the Honorary Fellowships, Professor Danielle George MBE, IET President, said: “I am delighted that we are able to mark the outstanding achievements of these talented individuals in our 150th year, with one of the IET's highest honours, Honorary Fellowship. As distinguished engineers and technologists, they have each excelled in their professions and have made a vast contribution as pioneers of important areas in the engineering and technology industries. They should all be very proud of their achievements – with each award being extremely well-deserved."
Aharoni was born in Haifa in 1937 and studied at the Technion. He became a member of BGU's Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering in 1973, and until his retirement, held a number of senior positions. His research interests include electronic and optoelectronic materials and devices. He established the first laboratory for microelectronics in the department and was its first director.
In addition, he taught and carried out research for a number of years at universities and research institutions in Japan, the US, South Africa, Belgium and Canada.
The Honorary Fellowship from the IET joins a long and distinguished list of awards he has been given over the years, including 8 outstanding teaching awards from BGU. He has also received a number of fellowships in the field of Silicon Light Emitting Devices (SiLEDs).
