Sapir College Inaugurates the New Information Systems and Technologies Building

Sapir College has inaugurated an innovative building dedicated to the memory of the late Ofir Libstein, who was murdered during the events of October 7.

The building will centralize the activities of the Information Systems and Technologies Division, which is responsible for all of the college’s IT infrastructure and technological services, and will provide support and solutions for faculty and students, as part of the college’s commitment to academic excellence and the advancement of technological innovation.

The renovation of the building was made possible thanks to the generous contribution of the Crown family of Chicago, through the Crown Foundation, reflecting a deep commitment to strengthening higher education, promoting technological innovation, and enhancing community resilience. The ceremony was also honored by the presence of Prof. Shai Feldman, former President of Sapir Academic College and a close friend of the Crown family, alongside division heads and other distinguished guests.

During the inauguration ceremony, Doron Libstein, Ofir’s brother, spoke about the leadership values and vision that characterized his path. He said:
“Ofir’s optimism was not about saying ‘everything will be okay,’ but about making a decision - I will make sure everything will be okay. This is an optimism rooted in action, responsibility, and leadership.”
He added: “To lead through camaraderie, friendship, and seeing people at eye level - that was Ofir’s core value. This place, and the partnership that has been created here, are a living continuation of his path. Even after the hardest moments, we know the sun will rise tomorrow. We need certainty, a true home for information systems, artificial intelligence, and the technologies that will lead academia toward a better future.”

Nir Kedar, President of Sapir College, emphasized the significance of the occasion, stating: “This is a very joyful and emotional day for several reasons. This is the first building we are inaugurating since October 7, and it carries immense significance. It will centralize all the activity of the Information Systems and Technologies Division. The building serves the college internally and supports all the infrastructure for remote learning and the college’s digital services. The late Ofir Libstein was not only the Head of the Sha’ar HaNegev Regional Council, but also a close friend of Sapir Academic College, a member of the Board of Trustees, and Chair of the Executive Committee of the Sapir College of Practical Engineering. We are deeply moved to be able to do one more small thing to keep his memory close to our hearts.”