The Ariel University Center of Samaria will not be granted university status before 2013, the Higher Education Council's planning committee recommended Wednesday. The council is slated to reach a decision on the matter next year following a comprehensive examination.
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In 2005, the government decided to consider the establishment of universities in Ariel and Safed. In 2007, the Ariel College Center received temporary approval for an upgrade in its status and was given five years to meet the academic university criteria.
- Ariel University Center of Samaria (Photo: Ido Erez)
The decision sparked fierce arguments relating to the center's West Bank location. Members of the Higher Education Council recently expressed concern that the college's fate will be decided by the political echelon citing a clause regarding the matter in a coalition agreement between the Likud and Yisrael Beiteinu.
Tensions soared after university presidents sent a letter to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu calling him to prevent the institute from being granted university status for fear of hurting the entire higher education system.