In response to the profound impact of the ongoing Iron Swords War on its students, Afeka Academic College of Engineering in Tel Aviv has launched the “AsOne” student-support fund. With an initial goal of raising NIS 15 million ($4 million), the fund aims to provide comprehensive support to the overwhelming 42% of Afeka students who have been called to active military duty since Oct. 7.
At the same time, Afeka College’s fund keeps every one of the school’s students on a path toward filling a vital role in Israel’s engineering industry and contributing to the Jewish state’s crucial high-tech sector, with the field of engineering taking on unprecedented importance for the country following the Oct. 7 attacks.
“Engineers are a key component in the success of Israel’s economy and global positioning as a leader in quality human capital and pioneering technology,” said professor Ami Moyal, president of Afeka College. “It is our duty and moral obligation to support the young generation of Israel. Today, they are bravely defending their nation, and when they enter the workforce, they will play a pivotal role in shaping the country’s future.”
The war has disrupted the academic journey for many of Afeka’s students. To address these challenges, the college has committed NIS 5 million ($1.35 million) from internal resources and is seeking external donations to fund various initiatives under the AsOne campaign.
“Ensuring no student drops out because of the war has become the number one priority for Afeka and for me personally,” said Moyal. “It is our mission to make sure all students serving the country are given every opportunity to complete the academic year successfully and on time.”
Afeka College has developed a comprehensive support package to address the diverse needs of its students during this challenging time. With the academic year beginning 2½ months late due to the war, all courses are now being taught through Afeka’s synchronous hybrid model. This innovative approach allows students who are able to attend in-person classes to do so, while those who cannot be physically present can participate remotely.
However, the college recognizes that online learning alone is not sufficient for many students who are either missing substantial portions of the semester or constantly transitioning between military service and their studies. To support these students, Afeka offers personalized academic assistance, including advising, mentoring, private and group tutoring sessions, and time-condensed course options.
Although Afeka’s support package is comprehensive, “the circumstances of each student are unique,” Moyal said. “We often have to personalize solutions.”
To bolster these efforts, the college has hired additional personnel dedicated to providing services for student reservists. Furthermore, Afeka has taken the radical step of allowing students who served throughout the first semester to repeat courses at no extra cost before the end of the academic year, even if those courses were not originally scheduled for repetition.
This multifaceted approach demonstrates Afeka’s commitment to ensuring that no student’s academic journey is derailed by the challenges posed by the ongoing war and bolsters the country’s post-war recovery at a time when the need for engineers is even more vital.