Extended army reserve service to count toward college credit

Service in the IDF reserves will soon count toward university credit, the Committee of University Heads announced Monday.

Beginning in the next academic year, students who serve for more than 18 days a year in the military reserves will receive two points of academic credit.

In addition, students who take part in “significant social activities,” according to the institutions’ criteria, will also receive credit toward their degree.

To receive a bachelor’s degree in Israel a student must gain a minimum of 108 credits, though some science degrees require 160.

Most Israeli students, veterans of the Israel Defense Forces’ compulsory draft, are summoned for reserve duty each year.

In January, the government approved a preliminary reading of a law, spearheaded by MK Merav Ben-Ari (Kulanu) and supported by Jewish Home leader Education Minister Naftali Bennett, requiring universities to give credit for both social activities and reserve army duty.