As part of the academic year closing events, Shenkar's board of governors held a meeting on Monday (July 19). Due to the challenges presented by the pandemic, the meeting took place through a hybrid format. All overseas-based and some locally-based trustees joined the meeting virtually via Zoom, while the others gathered in person in Shenkar's auditorium. Hosting the event were Ms. Orit Efrati; Mr. Zvi Yemini, chairperson of Shenkar's executive committee; and professor Sheizaf Rafaeli, president of Shenkar. The deans and heads of Shenkar's departments were also in attendance.

Ms. Efrati kicked off the meeting with a question: "Where is academia headed in our rapidly-changing world? How do we stay relevant and appealing in this all-digital world of Instagram and gaming and crypto NFTs, a world where people go to the moon every month? This is a time of great upheaval. We live in a dynamic world that changes every day, presenting us with new challenges that force us to stop and rethink our course of action. Shenkar has been blessed with creative deans, department heads, and lecturers. We have innovators and groundbreakers on our team. Led by the president of Shenkar, we are now preparing to rewrite and redesign the vision and strategy of this creative institution as part of our effort to stay relevant. The earlier we start preparing, the readier we will be for the upcoming changes."

Orit Efrati, Chairperson of Shenkar's board of trustees

"In ten years of supporting Shenkar as a lecturer and an industry professional, my dream is finally pretty much coming true," said Zvi Yemini, chairperson of Shenkar's executive committee. "The links between technology and design and between industry and design are growing stronger. Shenkar is unique in its ability to combine these disciplines."

Zvi Yemini, chairperson of Shenkar's executive committee

The president of Shenkar, professor Sheizaf Rafaeli, then presented the school's main accomplishments this year:

1. The significant number of scholarships Shenkar offers its students.

2. The school's emphasis on international research within the purview of its R&D Authority, led by professor Shmuel Kenig, VP of Shenkar.

3. The launch of Shenkar's new podcast.

Professor Sheizaf Rafaeli, president of Shenkar

The board of trustees invited five Shenkar alumni to speak at the meeting—each spearheading innovation in their discipline. The first speaker was Nirit Takele (alumna of Shenkar's School of Multidisciplinary Art), who told the trustees about her Shenkar journey, from her first day to graduation day, and about her unique and colorful creative style.

Nirit Takele

Next on the agenda was a panel chaired by Idit Barak, a senior lecturer at the Department of Fashion Design. The panelists were Noga Sapir (alumna of the Department of Textile Design and CEO of Reflect Innovation), Oded Babayoff (alumnus of the Department of Visual Communication and VP Design at SimilarWeb), Omri Bar Zeev (alumnus of the Department of Industrial Design, artistic director at PrimeManyone, and partner at Mayone), and Tamir Jerby (alumnus of the School of Industrial Engineering & Management and VP Growth at Lemonade). The topic for discussion was "the day after Shenkar and the future of academia."

The panelists, from left to right: Idit Barak, Noga Sapir, Omri Bar Zeev, Oded Babayoff, and Tamir Jerby

To round off the evening, wine glasses in hand, the trustees explored the exhibition spaces and enjoyed this year's design and engineering graduation projects.

Photos by: Achikam Ben Yosef