The budget of the higher education system for the current academic year increased by approximately NIS 237 million compared to the previous year and stands at approximately NIS 7 billion
This amount represents an increase of approximately NIS 270 million compared to the original XNUMX budget. The increase in the budget results, among other things, from the financing of the salary agreements with the senior and junior faculty, from an increase in the number of students, and more. The Planning and Budgeting Committee considers the XNUMX XNUMX budget as a transition year budget during which a new five-year plan for the higher education system will be formulated, in coordination with the Ministry of Finance. The five-year plan will include, among other things, an update to the budget model for the purpose of encouraging excellence in the system and regulating the issue of budget pensions in universities. The five-year plan is expected to operate starting from the XNUMX school year.
The chairman of the HOT, Prof. Manuel Trachtenberg, said: "The budget for the academic year XNUMX is a transitional budget in terms of the higher education system, which is currently building a long-term central plan. The program must bring a new line and strengthen research excellence and the quality of teaching."
The head of budgets at the Ministry of Finance, Dr. Udi Nissan, added: "We see great importance in strengthening the higher education system and its contribution to the economy and society. I believe that the fruitful cooperation and dialogue between the various parties will make it possible to deal with the many challenges facing the higher education system, among them, a real change in the budgeting model, favoring excellence and taking advantage of the relative advantages of the institutions."
