Colgate University President Jeffrey Herbst is among a group of university presidents who are visiting Israel this week.
The presidents from around the nation consulted with the trip’s sponsor, Project Interchange, on the program that runs from July 4 -11.
Strong thematic emphasis has been given to higher education, and the delegation is meeting with their executive counterparts at institutions such as Tel Aviv University, Hebrew University, Al Quds University, and Al-Qasemi College.
They are receiving in-depth briefings on state-of-the-art research initiatives and will discuss opportunities for academic exchange and research collaborations at the undergraduate, graduate, and faculty levels.
The program also is intended to offer the higher education leaders broad exposure to the complex issues facing Israel and the region. The delegation plans to meet senior government officials, including Israeli President Shimon Peres and Palestinian National Authority Prime Minister Salam Fayyad.
In addition to President Herbst, the 17-member delegation includes leaders from Case Western Reserve University, Drexel University, National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, St. Edward’s University, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, University of West Georgia, and University of California, Santa Barbara.