Shenkar – Engineering. Design. Art. continues to strengthen and develop its academic ties with institutions of higher education around the world.

In September 2023, a delegation of senior Shenkar management traveled to China to visit two of the country’s leading universities – CAFA (Central Academy of Fine Arts) and the Gengdan Institute.

The delegation included Oded Chai – director of industry relations and strategic planning, professor Yanai Toister – dean of the Shenkar International School, and professor Sheizaf Rafaeli – president of Shenkar.

As part of the visit, a memorandum of understanding was signed between Shenkar and CAFA, one of the world’s most prestigious institutions for design and art studies, which accepts only about 2% of applicants. The memorandum includes an outline for exchange of students and lecturers, development of research, building joint curricula for the two institutions and more.

While there, professor Rafaeli gave a lecture to CAFA students and faculty on artificial intelligence and its integration in academia.

The signing of the memorandum with the dean of CAFA, professor Song Xiewei (Photo: courtesy of CAFA)

Professor Rafaeli’s lecture at CAFA (Photo: courtesy of CAFA)

The Shenkar delegation also met with senior representatives from the Gengdan Institute – a private institute for design and technology studies in Beijing affiliated with Beijing University of Technology — during which a memorandum for future collaborations between the institutions in teaching, research and international workshops on a variety of topics was signed. The relationship with the Institute previously began with Oded Chai’s trip to China last June.

The Shenkar delegation with their colleagues from the Gengdan Institute

Through the connection with the Gengdan Institute, contacts were established with industry in China, including with the business development company Sino-Jing (which sponsored the delegation) and the technology company KMAX Global, which specializes in the development of VR applications.

The meeting at the Gengdan Institute included a tour of its various departments, including the School of International Design, the School of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering and the School of Digital Technology.

We look forward to continuing to work together with CAFA and the Gengdan Institute and are confident that such collaborations will bear fruit and strengthen the ties of Shenkar students and faculty around the world.

Top of page: The delegation from Shenkar at CAFA (Photo: courtesy of CAFA)