The State of Israel can continue to take pride in the achievements of Israeli science teams: a team of students who recently participated in the International Physics Olympiad in Lisbon, who trained at BGU's Jusidman Science Center for Youth, led by Dr. Eli Raz, a faculty member at ORT Braude College of Engineering and team leader at the Jusidman Center, won 2 gold medals and 3 silver medals. Two physics instructors, Pavel Radzivilovsky and Itamar Hasson, also accompanied the team.
The Physics Olympiad has been held since 1967 and the State of Israel has participated in it since 1994. This year the competition was held in Lisbon, Portugal with 407 participants from 87 countries around the world.
The Israeli physics team included:
Eyal Wallach from Hod Hasharon and studying at the Mosenson School, won a gold medal.
Jonathan Hadas from Holon and studying at the Pinhas Eilon School, won a gold medal.
Aviv Tillinger from Kfar Saba and studying at the Jacob Hazan Democratic School, won a silver medal
Alon Sharel, from Rehovot and studying at the De Shalit School, won a silver medal
Omri Ravad from Moshav Lachish, studying at the Tzafit School on Kibbutz Kfar Menahem and a student in the Jusidman Center's Odyssey Program, won a silver medal
BGU President Prof. Rivka Carmi said, The Jusidman Center and the University are proud the team's students and their achievements. This year the Center had the honor to lead the team, together with its coach and the excellent instructors. We invest in the team and in the students and help them in using their abilities and achieving success. The win is a result of investment by the staff and students and the capabilities and dedication of all those involved."
Education Minister, MK Naftali Bennett commented, "The heart is full of pride, these students are the most beautiful face of Israeli youth. They invested hours and effort and brought a huge honor to the State of Israel in the international arena." Bennett added, "It's important to remember - the medals are beautiful and full of pride, but that is not the main point. The real story is the diligence, perseverance and hard work of the students to reach these impressive achievements and to standing in one row with students from all over the world. When I look at Eyal, Yonatan, Aviv, Alon and Omri – I feel calm knowing that these are the faces of the future of the industry and economy in Israel. I am proud to be the Minister of Education of such students. Congratulations!"
The Ministry of Education and the Maimonides Fund's Future Scientists Center, lead in training students to participate in various Olympiads as part of a joint venture that began this year.
Above: The winning team mests with BGU President Prof. Rivka Carmi.
