BGU’s Resilience in the Face of Adversity
BGU’s Resilience in the Face of Adversity
May 2, 2025
The Times of Israel –Journeying through Ben-Gurion University of the Negev’s (BGU) three campuses in Beer-Sheva, Sde Boker, and Eilat, you’ll discover a powerful story of excellence in the face of adversity.
Growing up in an arid area of Kenya, Sharon Chemweno experienced firsthand the challenges of rain fluctuations and limited irrigation facilities in agriculture. She therefore wanted to join the best institution to gain knowledge on efficient irrigation techniques and agricultural production.
Chemweno found precisely that at the Sde Boker campus of BGU, where she is currently a PhD student enrolled in the Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research (BIDR) program. She is using her research to tackle one of the most pressing issues facing her home country: food insecurity.
On May 7th, Chemweno will be among the featured speakers during Remarkable Resilience. Excellence in the Face of Adversity, Americans for Ben-Gurion University’s (A4BGU) special virtual experience showcasing BGU’s transformative role in a post-October 7th Israel.
During A4BGU’s fifth annual signature virtual event, attendees will journey through BGU’s three campuses in Beer-Sheva, Sde Boker, and Eilat, discovering a powerful story of overcoming adversity in exceedingly challenging times. BGU is standing strong in wartime and spearheading the entire nation’s recovery from the Hamas attacks through the institution’s four pillars: education, research, building up the Negev, and community service and social justice.
“Through this deep dive into Ben-Gurion University’s brains, heart, and soul, our program will powerfully demonstrate that BGU is leading the way forward not only in the South but also for all of Israel through its excellence in the face of adversity,” said Doug Seserman, CEO of A4BGU.
Attendees of the May 7th virtual experience will hear inspiring stories from across the University’s campuses, such as the firsthand accounts of Chemweno as well as Prof. Simon Barak (Sde Boker), whose research focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms of plant tolerance to harsh environmental stresses such as heat, drought, and high soil salinity; Prof. Reli Hershkovitz (Beer-Sheva), Dean of the BGU Faculty of Health Sciences, who played a critical role in supporting medical students post-October 7th; and Prof. Nadav Shashar (Eilat), a coral reef restoration pioneer who gives students hands-on opportunities in marine conservation.
“Remarkable Resilience. Excellence in the Face of Adversity” takes place on Wednesday, May 7, at 12 p.m., East Coast time. Register to attend at: a4bgu.org/remarkableresilience.
Read more on The Times of Israel>>
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