In his words of blessing, Prof. Trachtenberg said: "In the past, the higher education system reached very impressive achievements, but during the last decade, it is in a dangerous process of decline: brain drain, a decrease in research strengths, and a decrease in the prestige of higher education in the Israeli public."
The plenary of the Higher Education Council yesterday (Tuesday) approved the appointment of Prof. Manuel Trachtenberg to the position of Chairman of the Planning and Budgeting Committee. Prof. Trachtenberg was presented to the council as the candidate of the chairman of the MLA and the minister of education, MK Gideon Sa'ar, for the position of chairman of the OT. Before the vote, Prof. Trachtenberg appeared before the Council's plenary and presented his positions regarding what is required to be done in the higher education system in the coming years.
Prof. Trachtenberg, who is currently serving as the head of the National Economic Council in the Prime Minister's Office, is expected to take up his new position as chairman of the National Economic Council on September 1, 2009, when he will replace Prof. Shlomo Grossman, who has held the position since 2002.
Prof. Manuel Trachtenberg (58) is a full professor at the Eitan Berglas School of Economics at Tel Aviv University, in addition, Prof. Trachtenberg served as the head of the research program in "Science, Technology and Economics" at the Technion Institute. Prof. Trachtenberg was born in Argentina in 1950, received a BA and MA in economics from the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, and a PhD from Harvard University in Boston, USA.
Prof. Trachtenberg's academic areas of specialization are the economics of research and development (R&D), growth, industrial organization, patents, science policy and technological innovation. Prof. Trachtenberg has authored books and a large number of scientific articles that have been published in leading journals, and is considered one of the most prominent experts in the world in these fields. In addition, Prof. Trachtenberg served as the prime minister's representative on the committee to examine the higher education system headed by Mr. Avraham Shohat.
The Minister of Education and Chairman of the Legislative Assembly, MK Gideon Sa'ar, welcomed the appointment of Prof. Trachtenberg to the position of chairman of the National Board of Education and said "Prof. Trachtenberg is the most suitable person to head the Board of Education in this period. He combines a deep commitment to the higher education system along with the understanding and determination of the need to bring about a change in it. His professional expertise as an economist along with his familiarity with the government system give him the necessary tools to perform the job."
During the presentation of his view on the higher education system, Prof. Trachtenberg said: "The higher education system is a cornerstone for the social, spiritual and economic development of the State of Israel. In the past, the system reached very impressive achievements, but during the last decade it is in a dangerous process of decline: brain drain, a decrease in research strengths, and a decrease in the prestige of higher education in the Israeli public. Therefore, a comprehensive change is needed that will lay the foundations for the flourishing of scientific research and quality teaching in Israel of the 21st century, according to the goals of encouraging scientific-research excellence, increasing accessibility to all levels of society in Israel and ensuring high quality for the human capital acquired in academic institutions. The pursuit of these goals requires the implementation of a wide range of measures and we must engage in this process with determination and courage, because the establishment of the higher education system in Israel is a necessary condition for securing our future."
Prof. Grossman joined in the congratulations on the occasion of Prof. Trachtenberg's election: "I am convinced that the promotion of the higher education system is the first thing that stands before Manuel's eyes and he is unworthy of the position. I am grateful for the trust that the members of the MLA and the members of the OT have placed in me during my term of office. In recent years, the higher education system has succeeded in all its components - the universities and colleges - in continuing the trend of progress and excellence, despite unusual budgetary difficulties and drastic cuts imposed on the system."
