Tel Aviv University on Sunday inaugurated a new building for the Lowy International School, in a ceremony attended by Sir Frank Lowy, the Australian Israeli businessman and philanthropist whose gift established the school in 2022, and his three sons.
The school is dedicated to the memory of Lowy’s late wife, Shirley, who devoted her life to education, philanthropy and children’s welfare. The university says the school carries her legacy forward by expanding opportunities for students and researchers from around the world through international education, academic exchange and collaboration.
A ribbon, a plaque and a mezuzah
The October 25 ceremony, which the university described as a major milestone in its international development, brought together TAU President Prof. Ariel Porat, Vice President International Prof. Milette Shamir, university leaders and students. It included speeches, the unveiling of a commemorative plaque, a ribbon-cutting and the affixing of a mezuzah.
A permanent home for 2,500 international students
The new building gives a permanent home to what has become a significant part of university life. According to TAU, the school now hosts about 2,500 students from around the world and offers more than 60 English-taught academic programs. The university holds 495 active international agreements with more than 350 partner institutions in 52 countries.
Designed by Potash Architects, the two-story building houses the school’s offices and meeting rooms, along with spaces to welcome students, scholars and international visitors.
‘Through the Lowy School, we are doing wonders’
In his remarks, Porat thanked Lowy for his support. “Thanks to your support, the Lowy International School is doing excellent work here connecting Diaspora Jewry to Israel but also connecting the broader world, Jews and non-Jews alike, with Israel,” he said. “That mission has been exceptionally challenging over the past three years since the disaster of October 7th. Academic institutions around the world are boycotting Israel, and many students do not want to come here because of the situation in the country. Nevertheless, through the Lowy School, we are doing wonders. Many students are arriving here this year, and our academic ties with leading institutions worldwide are growing stronger rather than weakening.”
A two-decade partnership
Lowy, a Holocaust survivor and prominent international philanthropist, has supported Tel Aviv University for more than two decades, funding initiatives in national security, pandemic preparedness, nanotechnology and international education. The university called the inauguration another chapter in that longstanding partnership and a celebration of its global community and pursuit of academic excellence.
The Lowy International School serves as TAU’s hub for international academic programs, student and scholar support, academic mobility, research collaboration and global partnerships. More information is available at international.tau.ac.il.