Sapir Academic College Launches 2024-25 Academic Year with Resilience and Renewal

On November 3, 2024, Sapir Academic College welcomed students back to campus for the 2024-25 academic year, marking the first full return to campus since the start of the war. For the first time since October 7th, our campus is once again alive with student activity.

Sapir's main launch event took place on November 5, 2024, in the campus’s central square, with distinguished guests including Minister of Education and Chair of the Council for Higher Education Yoav Kish, Sderot Mayor Alon Davidi, and Shaar HaNegev Regional Council Head Yossi Keren. Minister Kish met with students and senior Sapir administrators, expressing his admiration for the College’s resilience and determination in opening this academic year following the challenges faced by the Sapir community and the region.

In a conversation with Sapir's senior management, Minister Kish shared his sentiments: “Opening the school year here is an inspiring moment of returning to normalcy, as well as a symbol of renewal and resilience. Sapir College, which endured significant hardships, now returns with renewed strength—committed to a future of growth and hope. Israel's higher education system stands with you, committed to supporting the College as a center for stability, innovation, and educational opportunity for the entire region.”

Prof. Nir Kedar spoke at the Student Union’s opening event, sharing his pride in seeing the campus once again bustling with students. “We are deeply moved to welcome the new academic year from our campus,” he said. “The lawns and classrooms are once again filled, an uplifting sight after all we have endured. We carry in our hearts the memory of 47 friends, members of the Sapir community, who were brutally murdered on October 7. We fervently hope for the safe return of the 101 abductees, including Omri Miran, husband of our faculty member, Lishay Lavi-Miran. Though some doubted Sapir’s ability to survive during the war with over 1000 students serving in reserves duty and 1500 students and faculty members evacuated from their homes. But not only did we survive - we thrived. Next year we will continue to expand and build two new faculties:  a Faculty of Health Professions in partnership with Hebrew University; and expanding current degree programs we will open a Faculty of Advanced Technology. Sapir will continue to lead Israel's higher education revolution. The College will continue leading academic innovation and aim to become the region’s first University for Applied Research and Social Impact in the Western Negev.”

Located just two miles (3.5 kilometers) from the Gaza border, Sapir is the only college in the area and is the largest employer in the region. Since the tragic events of October 7, Sapir has dedicated its efforts to strengthening academic, economic, and community resilience.  The new academic year is a sign of recovery and growth, with in-person classes offered in most programs with special accommodations for active reservists. The College with philanthropic support established a Resilience Center, to support the Sapir community. The expansion of two new academic faculties will significantly enhance the academic opportunities available to the residents of the Western Negev and beyond.