Technion - Israel Institute of Technology President Professor Uri Sivan presented the Technion Alumni Medal award Monday to Johny Srouji, Apple's senior vice president of Hardware Technologies.
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The same award was also given to Aharon Aharon, the former CEO of Apple Israel and CEO of the Israel Innovation Authority. The medals were bestowed upon both individuals for their numerous achievements that have strengthened the Technion, the industry and academia in Israel and around the world.
Srouji, born in Haifa, completed his undergraduate and graduate degrees at the Technion’s Taub Faculty of Computer Science. He joined Apple in 2008 and led, among other things, the design of the company's first self-designed chip, the A4, which was integrated into the iPhone 4 and the first iPad.
Srouji encouraged the company to establish a research and development center in Israel, and in recent years he has spearheaded one of the most significant moves in the technology giant's history – the transition from Intel processors to Apple's own silicon processors.
“Growing up, the Technion was near enough to be real, but prestigious enough to be a dream,” Srouji said at the award ceremony. “I was able to realize that dream because of my family, my community and the values they instilled in me.”
“I’m proud to work for a company committed to leaving the world better than we found it, and that The Technion is instilling that ideal in the next generation – and generations to come,” he added.
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Johny Srouji completed his undergraduate and graduate degrees at the Technion’s Taub Faculty of Computer Science
(Photo: Apple)
Aharon Aharon, also born in Haifa, completed his undergraduate and graduate degrees at the Technion’s Andrew and Erna Viterbi Faculty of Electrical Engineering. He was the first CEO of Apple Israel and Vice President of Hardware Technologies at the company, as well as a lecturer at the Technion for several decades.
From 2017 to 2020, he served as CEO of the Innovation Authority and, after completing his tenure, he established C-Perto, a technology consulting company.
"In my career, I tried to promote connections between academia and industry. Quite recently an important agreement has been reached between the Technion and the Israeli Economy and Industry Ministry, which would significantly advance the productive industry in Israel,” Aharon said during the award ceremony.
“This collaboration was made possible by a project that began two years ago, led by the Technion, generously funded by the Russell Berrie Foundation, and managed by me,” he added.
“My love story with the Technion began a long time ago, when I entered my first class here, having just finished military service. That class made me want to become a teacher. I am glad I was able to make this dream come true, having taught in the Technion for 18 years.”
Sivan said during the ceremony that Srouji and Aharon “embody the true spirit of the Technion, encompassing innovation, entrepreneurship, leadership, technological excellence and social awareness.”
“They serve as exemplary figures who have achieved remarkable accomplishments by translating their ideas, insights and inventions into technologies that have transformed Israel's economy and society, propelling it into the future,” he added.
“They follow the glorious 100-year-old tradition that began in the historic building located in the Hadar neighborhood, and continued in the acclaimed achievements of a hundred thousand Technion alumni who are today high-tech leaders in Israel and around the world.”
First published: 23:13, 06.13.23