A new academic initiative entitled “Making Connections” will bring together scientists from the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel with their counterparts from top-level research institutions in the UK, including the University of Oxford, the University of Cambridge, Imperial College London (ICL) and University College London (UCL).
The project’s launch comes amid continuing attempts to impose in England an academic boycott on Israeli institutions. The UK University and College Union has just announced that it is ending its academic boycott of Israel.
"Making Connections" marks the first time since its inception in 1950 that Weizmann UK has provided grants for such an initiative. Weizmann UK is funded entirely by UK philanthropists.
Out of 29 applications received from the Weizmann Institute – far more than had been anticipated - five research programs were selected which will focus on: 1) brain processes involved in learning and memory, 2) understanding the nature of “dark energy” in the universe, 3) the physical principles that govern the basic processes of living cells, 4) deciphering the molecular events that take place in living cells and 5) the self-assembly of advanced materials.
Weizmann Institute President Prof. Daniel Zajfman said, “Scientific ideas and discoveries benefit all humankind. Thus it seems only natural that scientists worldwide should focus their efforts collectively in broadening the boundaries of human knowledge." He further stated his vision that the program will develop into a prestigious, bi-national project, akin to existing programs that Israel has developed with the U.S. and Germany.
The Weizmann Institute of Science in Rehovot, Israel, is a leading multidisciplinary research institution. Home to 2,600 scientists, students, technicians and supporting staff, the institute research projects include the search for new ways of fighting disease and hunger, examining leading questions in mathematics and computer science, probing the physics of matter and the universe, creating novel materials and developing new strategies for protecting the environment.