Gov. Bruce Rauner traveled to Israel early this week to look for partnership opportunities between Illinois and Israeli universities, earning success right away with a first-time partnership with Tel Aviv University.
“Today marks a new era of collaboration with Tel Aviv University, an institution that has developed a reputation for genius in the technology and engineering fields — key drivers of economic progress,” Rauner said to an audience at a ceremony in Israel, according to a press release. “Illinois, Israel and the world will benefit from the exchange of faculty and students, cooperative programs and research opportunities now on the horizon.”
Rauner was joined by Timothy Killeen, the University of Illinois system president, who offered his thoughts on the potential and possibilities of teaming up with academic institutions in Israel.
“Tel Aviv University is Israel’s largest and most comprehensive university, with a deep commitment to student success and research discovery that matches ours across the University of Illinois System,” Killeen said, according to the release. “This agreement is an important first step to build on life-changing learning and cultural exchanges for students, and foster research collaborations to solve global challenges and drive progress and economic growth.”
Rauner will meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other officials to talk business.
