As students line their shelves with books for the new school year, 18-year-old Raz Dvora has something different to place there: a gold medal. Just weeks after graduating high school, which he completed while simultaneously pursuing undergraduate mathematics at the Open University of Israel’s Academia in High School program, Dvora claimed the top prize at the International Mathematics Competition for University Students.
His achievement highlights the impact of the program, which allows talented and motivated students to take university-level courses during their high-school years. Since its launch more than a decade ago, the program annually enrolls more than 2,500 students across Israel.
Alumni include innovators like Ilya Sutskever, OpenAI’s co-founder and former Chief Scientist, and Roy Reznik, co-founder of Wiz, the Israeli cybersecurity company behind one of the country’s largest tech exits, showing how nurturing talent can put students on the global stage.
At its heart is the Open University’s unwavering commitment to flexibility and access—the conviction that excellence should never be constrained by geography, age, or circumstance. Through its Academia in High School program, Jewish and Arab students, religious and secular alike, from both major cities and remote towns, are given the chance to break down barriers and push beyond their grade level. The program not only enables them to earn full academic credit but also to gain a head start on their academic and professional journeys.
For Raz, it was an ideal fit. “I chose Academia in High School because it gave me flexibility and control over the pace of my learning,” he said. “That freedom made it possible to dive deeper into math and the courses really prepared me for the competition.”
According to OUI president Leo Corry, the program’s benefits go far beyond early credit. “The experience of diving into complex university-level material at such a young age equips participants with the confidence and skill set they can carry with them into their careers. It’s not just about learning earlier; it’s about developing a way of thinking that prepares you for the challenges ahead.”
In a season marked by fresh notebooks and clean slates, Raz Dvora’s achievement is a reminder that education is not only about keeping pace with a curriculum but about unlocking potential—sometimes years ahead of schedule. Still a high-schooler by age, yet competing—and winning—as a university student, his story shows how far young talent can go when given the freedom and support to flourish.
The legacy will be celebrated at its 50th anniversary gala in New York City on Nov. 20, honoring Dr. Albert Bourla, chairman and CEO of Pfizer Inc., whose own journey embodies the power of education to transform lives.
For more information, including tickets and sponsorships, contact: Stuart Chizzik, executive director, 201-403-4690; schizzik@afoui.org.
