56th Board of Governors Meeting Program

Sunday, May 10, 2026

Pre-Board Program

Beer-Sheva, Marcus Family Campus

11:00 am Dedication of “Alex’s Patio” in loving memory of Alex Goren, z”l

Helen Diller Family Center

11:30 am Global Development Committee

(for committee members only)
W.A. Minkoff Senate Hall

Sde Boker

4:00 pm Board Committee Meetings

Ben-Gurion's Desert Home

6:45 pm Under the Desert Skies
Gala opening evening where music carries memory, presence, and direction
Featuring: Milestones, an ensemble of the Bikkurim School of Music graduates, formed after October 7

Sylvan Adams Sde Boker Campus

Monday, May 11, 2026

Beer-Sheva, Marcus Family Campus

8:45 am Gateway to the Future

Dedication of the Ernest Scheller, Jr. Gate of Innovation, the official main entrance to the North Campus
North Campus

9:45 am Opening Plenary Session

Presidential Adress: Prof. Daniel Chamovitz
Rector’s Annual Review: Prof. Chaim Hames
Board Procedures: Lloyd Goldman, Chairman of the Board of Governors

Joya Claire Sonnenfeldt Auditorium

11:10 am The Hostage: Released Captive and Author Eli Sharabi in Conversation with Prof. Daniel Chamovitz

Joya Claire Sonnenfeldt Auditorium

12:15 pm Lunch with graduate students

1:30 pm Real World Student Innovation
Breakout tours showcasing hands-on student practice

2:40 pm BGU Shark Tank: Deep Dive into Innovation
Student entrepreneurs pitch their ideas to a panel of "Sharks"

W.A. Minkoff Senate Hall

Sde Boker

6:30 pm First Fruits: A Shavuot Celebration
An authentic Israeli harvest festival inspired by kibbutz traditions, bringing together agriculture, research, food, music, dance, and community

Kibbutz Revivim

Tuesday, May 12, 2026

Sde Boker

7:45 am Early Breakfast Gathering of the Ben-Gurion Society
Desert Shanti House Youth Village
(By invitation only)

9:00 am - 12:00 noon Time Out

A relaxing morning or desert adventure – you choose. A selection of wellness and activity options. This morning is yours to enjoy, at your own pace.

Kedma Hotel & adjacent outdoor areas

Beer-Sheva, Marcus Family Campus

2:45 pm Rise of the Machines

Learn how AI is reshaping our world: With industry leaders and researchers from the new Stein Faculty of Computer and Information Science

W.A. Minkoff Senate Hall

3:30 pm Our Roots Define the Path Forward
Ceremony Recognizing our Loyal Friends and Supporters

4:30 pm A Walk Along the Path of Human Experience

Celebratory launch of the Young Family School for the Human Experience, showcasing student ideas, research, and creativity exploring one timeless question: what it means to be human

6:00 pm Conferment Ceremony of Honorary Doctoral Degrees
Joya Claire Sonnenfeldt Auditorium

8:00 pm Dinner Reception

Zlotowski Student Center

Wednesday, May 13, 2026

Sylvan Adams Sde Boker Campus

9:00 am The Roots of Impact
Showcase of interdisciplinary research delivering practical solutions to real problems
George Evens Family Auditorium

10:00 am At the Core: Nuclear Science @ BGU

A focused look at the groundbreaking research and advanced technologies emerging from the Klein Institute for Nuclear Science and Engineering

George Evens Family Auditorium

11:00 am Annual Halperin Event

Keren Moshe and the Leaders of Tomorrow: 30 Years of Leadership

Keynote: Prof. Tamar Gendler, a professor of philosophy, psychology and cognitive science, Yale University

and featuring TED-style talks by recipients of the Halperin Prize
George Evens Family Auditorium

12:00 noon Lunch with students from the Keren Moshe Leadership Program

1:00 pm Annual Zlotowski Event

BGU Radio Live!

The beloved radio show returns

6:45 pm Electrifying Finale with Balkan Beat Box
An unforgettable outdoor celebration, joined by BGU students, with the internationally acclaimed group known for its powerful fusion of Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, and electronic beats

Mand'uma, Mitzpe Ramon

Thursday, May 14, 2026

Sde Boker

Farewell Breakfast & Hotel Checkout

Post-Board Programming

Beer-Sheva, Marcus Family Campus

10:15 am Dedication ceremony of the National AI Resilience Lab (NAIR)

Made possible by and in the presence of Jeff Polak

12:00 noon Unveiling of the New and Improved ‘Studio Positive’
Special celebration of the renovated space for student movement and wellbeing, made possible through the generosity of Melinda Goldrich

1:30 pm Remembering Caroline Simon: A Legacy of Compassion and Commitment
Honoring a devoted member of the Faculty of Health Sciences, a generous donor, and a tireless volunteer whose compassion touched countless lives

If you wish to arrange personal meetings at the university, this is the designated day to do so.

This is a preliminary program. Be sure to check back later for updates and further details as we continue preparing a unique experience.