Professor Refael Barkan has been appointed president of Holon Institute of Technology (HIT ), replacing Professor Eduard Yakubov, who has led the institution since 2013.
Barkan currently serves as HIT’s vice president for innovation, entrepreneurship and international affairs. The institute said he brings extensive academic and management experience, along with a background spanning medicine, technology, research and higher education.
Professor Refael Barkan
(Photo: Courtesy of HIT)
As president, Barkan is expected to lead the institute’s development in the coming years, with an emphasis on strengthening its academic and technological fields, expanding research and innovation and deepening ties between academia and industry.
Yakubov, the outgoing president, has headed HIT for more than a decade. During his tenure, the institute expanded its research and applied activity in Israel and abroad and strengthened its connections with industry and Israeli society. He is expected to remain involved with the institution.
“I thank Professor Yakubov for many years of work, leadership and commitment to HIT and for his significant contribution to the institute’s development and standing,” Barkan said.
“I enter the position with a great sense of responsibility and with recognition of the achievements built over the years. The line that will guide me as president of HIT is to continue and strengthen the connection with industry, society and the economy, preserve the institute’s achievements over the past decade and leverage them to advance HIT toward becoming Israel’s leading academic institution in all of its fields of activity.”
Pinchas “Pini” Cohen, chairman of HIT’s board of trustees, thanked Yakubov for leading the institute and helping establish it as a prominent academic institution whose graduates hold key positions in industry.
“I am confident that Professor Barkan will continue the institute’s momentum of development, strengthen the connection between academia and industry and lead HIT to new achievements, new fields of activity and responses to emerging challenges, while continuing to advance academic excellence, research and innovation,” Cohen said.