Lightning and Thunder

The IDF and Ben-Gurion University of the Negev have opened two new elite academic programs for future recruits

01/04/2024

The Ministry of Defense, the IDF and Ben-Gurion University of the Negev have announced the opening of two new elite academic programs for future recruits, as part of preparations for the transfer of IDF technological units to southern Israel. The "Lightning" program will include studies for a double major in mechanical engineering and physics, with a second degree in mechanical engineering. The "Thunder" program will offer studies in electrical engineering, with personal mentoring and guidance, leadership workshops, and introductions to varied content areas. Participants in the programs will receive grants to finance their studies.

While combining academic studies with subsequent IDF recruitment and military training is not new, the integration of two academic degrees with personal mentoring and leadership workshops throughout a five-year program is a real innovation. These elite academic programs, "Lightning" and "Thunder," are the result of collaboration between the Ministry of Defense, the IDF Personnel Directorate, and Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, under the leadership of Prof. Dan Blumberg, Vice-President for Regional and Industrial Development, and Chair of the Israel Space Agency.

The "Lightning" program will provide a unique opportunity to earn a dual bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and physics, along with a master’s degree in mechanical engineering. The "Thunder" program will focus on electrical engineering and include specializations in areas such as hardware, systems engineering, communications, information, RF, and chip development. Students will benefit from personal mentoring throughout the degree, and a variety of workshops, including subjects such as leadership, entrepreneurship, media management, and brainstorming.

Candidates must meet certain IDF criteria, undergo professional and personal interviews, provide suitable acceptance data for the university program, undergo a psychotechnical test and a psychological examination. The search to identify candidates will be done both by the IDF and by reviewing applications of future new recruits who meet preliminary criteria. (Interested candidates are invited to contact the registration section of the academic recruits (Atudah) track).

Funding for the first degree will be provided by the IDF, and Ben-Gurion University will fully fund the second degree. Additionally, starting from the middle of the fourth year, participants will receive a monthly grant of NIS 2,500 from BGU.

Lt. Col. Harel Goren, head of the IDF directorate for academic technological manpower, highlighted the importance of these programs in meeting national and security needs for quality training in critical technological areas. He emphasized that the programs would help promote managerial, command, and technological leadership for the IDF and security forces in coming years.

Ms. Yonat Merton-Razon, head of the Civilian Systems Planning and Coordination Unit at the Transition Administration in the Ministry of Defense, noted that the transition of IDF technological units to the south creates new opportunities for collaborative projects and praised the programs as a precise and tailored response to the needs of the IDF units and the Negev. They are an excellent example of coordinated planning and joint investment, she added.

Prof. Dan Blumberg, Vice-President for Industrial and Regional Development at BGU and Chair of the Israel Space Agency, expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration, stating that BGU programs will provide future IDF recruits with the most scientific, technological, and innovative tools. He believes that this collaboration is just the beginning of many more to come.