The Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research (BIDR), part of the Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU), are acknowledged leaders in desert studies, widely respected in the international scientific community for the quality and creativity of their research and training programs. In light of this global reputation and the worldwide need for expertise in the study of drylands, BGU and the Blaustein Institutes have established the Albert Katz International School for Desert Studies, which offers programs leading to master's and PhD degrees in Desert Studies, Hydrology and Water Quality, and Ecology and Nature Conservation. These multi-disciplinary research areas have emerged to help develop science-based responses to the urgent needs of humanity.
The faculty includes scientists from the BIDR and leading scholars from the international community. The innovative, multidisciplinary programs are structured to provide an integrated approach, offering students exceptional opportunities to pursue a combination of basic and applied research. Students are exposed to a wide range of disciplines complementary to their major areas of specialization. Graduates are qualified to carry out basic and applied research, take responsible positions in the management of drylands and lead the battle to combat desertification.
