Knesset Speaker Robbie Rivlin, "If we want more Shechtmans, we need to invest in creating an appropriate educational and scientific atmosphere"

The words were said at a celebratory meeting in honor of Prof. Dan Shechtman, winner of the 2011 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, held yesterday (Monday) by the Science and Technology Committee and the Education, Culture and Sports Committee of the Knesset

At a celebratory meeting in honor of Prof. Dan Shechtman, winner of the 2011 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, held yesterday (Monday) by the Knesset's Science and Technology Committee and the Knesset's Education, Culture and Sports Committee, Knesset Speaker Reuven Rivlin said: "We must listen carefully to Prof. Shechtman's words , regarding the need to strengthen the education and higher education system. We must invest budgets in research and development, not only in the field of high tech, but also in the various fields of science such as physics, chemistry, mathematics and biology as well as in the humanities. If we want more Shechtmans, and we do, we need to invest in creating an appropriate academic and scientific atmosphere."

The meeting was opened by MK Ronit Tirosh, chairman of the Science and Technology Committee, who congratulated the ministers, members of the Knesset and heads of academia who were present at the discussion: Minister of Education, MK Gideon Sa'ar; Minister of Science and Technology, MK Daniel Hershkovitz; Prof. Peretz Lavi, president of the Technion; Prof. Aharon Ben Ze'ev, President of the University of Haifa; Prof. Rivka Karmi, president of Ben Gurion University, as well as members of Prof. Shechtman's family - his wife Prof. Tzipi Shechtman, his daughter, granddaughters and son-in-law. Knesset members were also present at the event: Nissim Ze'ev, Daniel Ben-Simon, Robert Ilatov, and Meir Shetrit (former chairman of the Science and Technology Committee).

MK Ronit Tirosh, chairman of the Science and Technology Committee said that "it is a great honor to host Professor Shechtman in the Knesset at this special meeting of the committee. Professor Shechtman is an example of excellence, perseverance, faith in the path and achievement. Professor Shechtman is a role model for all Israeli students and emphasizes the importance of education. I agree with the professor's words regarding the obligation we have to take care of our children and provide them with everything necessary in order for them to have the most tools for success. Abusing a child is not only violence but also not providing him with the proper education and not providing him with the necessary education as a tool for life. I agree with the words of Professor Shechtman and think that the State of Israel, which is a world leader in science and technology capabilities, must invest and develop civilian research institutes and invest more in the requirements for scientists so that they can research and achieve achievements here in Israel without having to go abroad to countries where the tools are currently lacking here in Israel. I repeat my congratulations to Professor Shechtman for his achievement. This is a great honor and tremendous pride for the State of Israel."

The Minister of Education, Gideon Sa'ar, reviewed at a yeshiva a plan to strengthen science in Israel, noted that 10,300 hours of science studies were returned to the education system, and said that "our commitment is to act so that in the future Israel will be at the forefront of scientific research." Sa'ar referred to the law on free compulsory education from the age of three and announced that the full implementation of the law will be within a few years.

The Minister of Science, Daniel Hershkovitz, said that "Prof. Shechtman is a model and an inspiration for the ability to think outside the box and not to follow a rut."

The Chairman of the Education Committee, MK Alex Miller, congratulated Prof. Shechtman. "Our future is in the education system, but also our present. We must work harder for the education system to progress. I expect that in the education system there will be many good ones like Prof. Shechtman", said MK Miller.

After the festive words of congratulation given by the Speaker of the Knesset, the ministers and the participants, Prof. Shechtman said that "from the Knesset, the picture looks very rosy and progressive." He invited MKs to visit, not in Jerusalem, and see the situation to their satisfaction: "The chance for a Jew in the world to win a Nobel Prize is 10 times greater than for a Jew in Israel. The winners in Israel have partners in other countries, and I made my discovery during my sabbatical year in the USA." He noted that one of the ideas he is trying to push is the establishment of large research centers in Israel. "Establishing a 'synchrotron', for example, which already exists in many countries of the world, including Iran and Jordan, among others. The time has come for us to build a large civilian research center here as well. Such a 'synchrotron' will bring dozens of experts from around the world, Ada Yonat will not have to travel abroad to work. These are budgets that are not in the sky."

At the end of his remarks, Prof. Shechtman thanked the MKs for the honor they had given him, noting that he "is an ambassador of the state everywhere in the world." Unusually and with the approval of the Speaker of the Knesset, at the end of his speech, those present applauded him.