Vijay K. Ramani, senior vice provost for graduate education and international affairs, hosted Michal Bar-Asher Siegal, vice president for global engagement at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU) in Israel, on WashU’s campus on Sept. 18. During the visit, they signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU), setting out a framework for collaboration in both research and education, with an eye toward building a multi-layered partnership, starting with a bilateral seed grants program and student and faculty exchange.
Throughout the day, Bar-Asher Siegal met with faculty and leaders from across WashU, including Arts & Sciences, the Brown School, the School of Medicine, the Bursky School of Public Health, and the McKelvey School of Engineering. Several of these conversations built on existing faculty ties that have grown organically over many years. For example, the Brown School’s Center for Social Development has a long history of work with BGU and other Israeli partners, including helping develop Israel’s national Saving for Every Child Program, launched in 2017. Additionally, WashU’s School of Medicine researchers have published together with BGU colleagues frequently in recent years, while in the McKelvey School of Engineering, William Yeoh, associate professor of computer science and engineering, has co-authored multiple publications on artificial intelligence with BGU’s Roie Zivan. Together, these ties across disciplines lay a strong foundation for expanding research collaboration between the two universities.
Bar-Asher Siegal also highlighted an immediate opportunity for WashU faculty: BGU’s Desert Academic Research Experience (DARE), a summer research program in Israel for senior tenured faculty from universities around the world. Participants spend three to five weeks at BGU pursuing their own research and the program includes academic and cultural activities and funding of up to $5,000. Priority is given to faculty visiting Israel for the first time, especially those already partnering with BGU researchers. Applications for summer 2027 are due Jan. 15, 2027. WashU faculty are encouraged to explore this opportunity. Likewise, WashU welcomes faculty from BGU and from around the world through its International Distinguished Visiting Scholars Program, which supports short visits to campus.