Melbourne Keren Hayesod United Israel Appeal (UIA) recently granted four scholarships to immigrant undergraduate students at BGU, strengthening their academic ambitions and helping them achieve their goals.

A group of thirty visitors from Melbourne and Sydney, led by Executive Director of Melbourne Keren Hayesod UIA Meir Buber, visited BGU for a special ceremony to meet the BGU students in person. Group members took an active part in the ceremony, held in the presence of Prof. Amos Drory, Vice-President for External Affairs, introducing each of the students and awarding them certificates. The four students who received scholarships are Anna Levit, studying in the Department of Life Sciences and hoping to become a vet; Peter Geltser, studying in the Department of Material Engineering; Alexander Reznick, studying in the Department of Economics ; and Yulia Dichno, studying in the Department of Psychology. Alexander and Yulia were recently married. Each of them in turn took the stage to say in their own words just how much this support means to them, to the warm applause of all present.

As opposed to supporting other more veteran Universities in Israel, supporting students at BGU “is a must”, said Meir Buber. “Supporting new immigrant and helping to develop the Negev is crucial to Israel’s future.” He wished the students all the best and said “I am sure you will fulfill your ambitions and your potential.”

Group member Jean Nankin of Melbourne said, “As Jews living abroad, we’re expected to give donations to Israel, that’s our connection to the country. But you don’t always know exactly where the money goes and how it affects people’s lives. Hearing the students speak was humbling, very emotional and moving. In the Melbourne Jewish community, parents are expected to support their children through college. But here in Israel many of the students need help, they need our support to be able to better themselves. It’s a privilege to be able to get involved and reach out to them, because through education, everything else will come.”