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The Ariel University Center of Samaria (Template:Lang-he, HaMerkaz HaUniversitai Ariel BaShomron) is the largest public college administered by the Israeli Ministry of Education and is located in the West Bank. The center was founded in 1982 to serve as a regional branch of Bar-Ilan University. Originally located in Kedumim, it moved to the larger settlement of Ariel to expand. Its association with Bar-Ilan University lapsed in the 2004-05 academic year with the school administration's decision to become independent and pursue university status. In August 2007, the 'College of Judea and Samaria' in Ariel declared itself a 'university center'. Although Prime Minister Ehud Olmert endorsed the change, both Minister of Education Yuli Tamir and the Council for Higher Education have vowed to block it, with the latter announcing in 2008 that they would not recognise degrees awarded by the college. The name change was recognised in 2010, though the college remains without university accreditation.

University status

In 2005, the Israeli government voted to support upgrading the College to university status. On one hand, this was viewed as a political decision to appease more conservative elements in Israeli politics before the implementation of the disengagement plan, on the other hand, the high quantity and quality of academic research by the faculty could not be ignored. The reaction from the academic community in Israel was not openly receptive, partly because of its location over the Green Line, as well as allowing a new institution into the fold. The change of status was not immediate since the decision only allowed the College to apply for revision by the Council for Higher Education in Israel which must ultimately approve the change. University status is an issue of prestige, increased government funding for research, as well as the ability to issue doctorate degrees.

In July 2006 the Council for Higher Education rejected the idea (which was also paired with an initiative by Shimon Peres to unite several regional colleges in the Galilee into one umbrella university). The Council accepted the conclusion of a committee it had itself set up that simply decided that no new university would be established in Israel in the next five years. The committee did not discuss, or perhaps avoided the discussion of the merits or shortcomings of the two initiatives. Subsequently, criticism was directed at the Council for ignoring the decision of the government.

In August 2007, the "College of Judea and Samaria", in the interim period and anticipation of achieving official university status, was renamed by the Certification Authorities Registrar "Ariel University Center of Samaria".

Faculties and departments

• Architecture
• Faculty of Engineering
  • Civil Engineering
  • Electrical Engineering & Electronics, including advanced degrees
  • Chemical Engineering in Biotechnology and Chemical Engineering and Materials
  • Mechanical Engineering - Mechatronics
  • Industrial Engineering & Management
  • General Engineering
• Faculty of Natural Sciences
  • Molecular Biology
  • Biological Chemistry
  • Applied Physics
  • Computer Science & Mathematics
  • Medical Physics & Imaging
• School of Health Sciences
  • Health Management
  • Physiotherapy
  • Nutrition
  • Communications Disorders
• Faculty of Social Sciences & Humanities
  • Economics
  • Economics & Business Management
  • Master of Business Administration
  • Behavioral Sciences
  • Psychology
  • Sociology and Anthropology
  • School of Social Work, including advanced degrees
  • Criminology
  • Political Science
  • Israel & Middle Eastern Studies
  • Israel Heritage
  • Multidisciplinary Studies (Humanities)
• School of Communications

• • Real Estate Assessment (diploma)

Research institutes

• Center for Radiation Sources & Applications (FEL)
• Materials Research Center
• Integrative Brain Science Center - Ariel (IBSCA)
• Center for Robotics Research and Applications
• Samaria & Jordan Valley Regional R&D Center
• Homeland Security R&D Center
• Israel National Strategic Assessment Center
• Mass Media Research Center

Enrollment

Current enrollment at the university is about 11,000, including Jewish, Arab, Druze and Circassian Israeli students.

See also

• List of universities and colleges in Israel

References

1. Ariel College upgrades itself to 'university' status Haaretz, 2 August 2007
2. Education Council: We won't recognize degrees awarded by Ariel college Haaretz, 11 June 2008
3. Council for Higher Education: Ariel university status years away The Jerusalem Post, 21 January 2010
4. Request from Ariel College to become a university turned down Walla News, 12 July 2006
5. Justice Ministry Downgrades Ariel University to College Israel National News, 30 March 2008
6. Quick Facts About The Ariel University Center of Samaria
7. A study in irony Haaretz, 22 June 2005
8. Arabs Studying at ‘Settler’ College Israel Today, 18 January 2006

External links

• Database of institutions Council for Higher education

• Ariel University Center of Samaria