With academic year to open, universities head says IDF reservist students will get all the support they need

Prof. Arie Zaban, Bar-Ilan University president and head of the Association of University Heads reassures reservists that they will get the support they need to complete their studies, despite the academic year starting next week.

“We have reached a point where if we pass it and do not open, then the entire academic year will be lost,” Zaban tells Army Radio.

“We greatly appreciate the reservists and promise that no matter the difficulty, we will make sure that everyone finishes the school year. We will give them all the support to succeed,” he says.

Israel’s major universities are set to begin the delayed academic year on December 31. The Israel Defense Forces had requested a further delay last week so that students still serving in the reserves amid the war could begin the year along with the rest of their peers.

In a compromise solution, IDF reservists will begin their studies “a few weeks later” and will have a condensed week of intensive classes upon their return to get them up to speed on missed material, after which they will be integrated into regular classes, the Association of University Heads said in a statement.