May 15, 2000
James D. Wolfensohn, President of the World
Bank, and Professor Sadako Ogata, UN High Commissioner for Refugees for
the United Nations, among the recipients of Honorary Doctorates at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev
James D. Wolfensohn, President of the World
Bank, will receive an honorary doctorate from Ben-Gurion University of the
Negev during the30th Anniversary International Board of Governors Meetings, to
take place May 21 – 25, 2000.
According to the University spokesman, James Wolfensohn will
receive the honorary doctorate in recognition of his carrying the banner in the
struggle against poverty, ignorance, disease, and hunger around the world. In his position as President of the
World Bank, his leadership has enabled the formation of new relationships
amongst governments, organizations, and public and private institutions, with
the goal of creating vital conditions for better global economic growth. James
Wolfensohn has led global efforts, in cooperation with the International Monetary
Fund, for addressing the problems of the poorest and most disadvantaged
nations. At the same time, he has not forgotten the individual human being—the
starving child, the uneducated youth, the ailing woman, or the unemployed
father—wherever they may be found.
James Wolfensohn will also be recognized for the energy and boldness
with which he has implemented new approaches and long-term policies at the
World Bank, among which are his initiative for debt-reduction for the poorest
nations as well as a comprehensive framework for sustainable development.
In addition to Wolfensohn, doctorates will be bestowed upon the
following honorees during the celebratory Board of Governors Meeting: Lord Norman Foster, one of the
world’s leading architects, Prof. Sadako Ogata, the UN High Commissioner
for Refugees, Prof. Jacob Frenkel, former Governor of the Bank of
Israel, Zvi Alon, Senior Industrialiast in the Hi-Tech field (NetManage
Inc.) and major benefactor, Prof. Michael Ozer Rabin, a
distinguished mathematician and among the most important contributors to the
computer field in Israel, and Ing. Pedro Dondisch, philanthropist
and major benefactor of BGU.
Lord Norman Foster will receive an honorary doctorate for his
considerable contribution to modern architecture. World-renowned Lord Foster is a recipient of the
Pritzker Prize and has set several milestones in the history of
architecture. In its
decision to bestow an honorary doctorate upon Lord Foster, the University
describes him as possessing “a tremendous talent for rendering the spirit of
the era in his creation of multi-purpose structures, which are used as meeting
places for diverse peoples— cultural centers, government centers, research,
technological and commercial centers, as well as international transport
hubs—the important crossroads on the arteries of modern life.”
Prof. Sadako Ogata will receive an honorary doctorate in
recognition of her devotion to the defense of human rights. Prof. Ogata has studied and taught
about the condition of human rights in war-torn areas, and has educated her
students not to turn away from suffering and injustice. Prof. Ogata has represented
Japan in the General Assembly of the United Nations, and in its Committees for
Human Rights, where she has repeatedly spoken out on issues of justice in which
she strongly believes. Prof.
Ogata has been a voice for all those who suffer throughout the world, and she
has also been instrumental in the efforts to put an end to arms
proliferation.
Prof. Jacob Frenkel will receive an honorary doctorate for his
contribution to the world economy, and to the Israeli economy, both as a
distinguished academic researcher and authority in the complex discipline of
international economics, as well as in his prominent positions in both national
and international institutions.
Prof. Frenkel has served as a member of the council of the “Group of
Seven,” as Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Bank of Inter American
Development, as the Chief Economist and Director of Research of the
International Monetary Fund, and as the Governor of the Bank of Israel.
Zvi Alon’s influence on the world of computers,
declares the University, has been indispensable. Zvi Alon has created the tools and standards which
enable the functioning of the internet, organize the various activities in this
medium, and allow every individual to take part in this information
revolution. Having a sweeping
vision of the future of computer technology, Alon has agreed to share the
fruits of his developments with his competitors, thus contributing to the
improvement of communication between people from all around the world.
Prof. Michael Ozer Rabin is among the leading scientists
in Israel, whose pioneering work in the field of mathematics and computer
science earns him a place of honor among the founders of this young
science. Prof. Rabin broke
new ground in his research and his discoveries have led thousands of
researchers to significant achievements.
Ing. Pedro Dondisch will receive an honorary doctorate for his
extensive philanthropic work among the Jewish community of Mexico, and for his
generous financial support of the State of Israel and Zionism, particularly in
the areas of education and aliyah.
Ben-Gurion University of the Negev is a major center for teaching and
research with more than 15,000 students enrolled in its five faculties. In keeping with its mandate, the
University has played a key role in promoting industry, agriculture, and education
throughout the Negev, and is a world leader in arid-zone research, offering its
expertise to many developing countries. Through growing ties with the Arab world, it is also
working to lay the foundations for scientific and academic cooperation throughout
the Middle East.
For further information, please contact Amir Rozenblit, BGU
Spokesman. Tel.: 972-7-6461802 / 972-7-6477717/6; Fax: 972-7-6472803; E-mail: rosenbli@bgumail.bgu.ac.il