Sapir College, Less Than Two Miles From Gaza, Three Years Since October 7th With Memorial Ceremony

More than 100 people attended, including students, faculty, staff, bereaved families, and community members. Among the speakers were Professor Nir Kedar, President of Sapir College, and Alon Gayer, Dean of Students at Sapir College. Avi Vaknin, a singer, composer and music producer who lives in the city of Sderot, provided the music at the ceremony.

During the ceremony, the names of all 50 members of the Sapir community killed in the October 7th attacks were read aloud. A list of their names is available at: https://www.sapir.ac.il/en/node/4674.

The Yizkor Jewish memorial prayer was recited, and memorial candles were lit.

Sapir College sits less than two miles from the Gaza border. Following the October 7th attacks, more than 1,000 students and hundreds of employees were evacuated, approximately 1,000 students were called up for reserve duty, and the campus became a military zone.

"October 7 changed Sapir College and our region forever. We will never forget the 50 members of our community whom we lost, and we will always carry their memory with us," said Professor Nir Kedar, President of Sapir College. "But our responsibility is also to look forward. Our goal is not simply to rebuild what existed before, but to build a stronger, more vibrant Western Negev, a region where young people choose to live, study, work, and build their futures. From social entrepreneurship to research, technology and high-tech, Sapir is helping drive the innovation and growth that will build a better future for the region."

In the three years since the attacks, Sapir has expanded its role in the reconstruction and economic development of the Western Negev through new academic programs, industry partnerships and technology initiatives. It is the largest employer in the area surrounding Gaza and is expanding its presence in the region's high-tech sector, including initiatives in artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies.

A major part of that effort is a new technology campus in Sderot, being established with the Sha'ar HaNegev Regional Council, the Sderot Municipality and the Tkuma Directorate - the government body established on October 19th, 2023, to lead the revival of communities in southern Israel affected by the October 7th attack - with an investment of NIS 130 million. Sapir is also expanding programs in computer science, data science, industrial engineering, agricultural and food technology, and product management. Over the next five years, the college plans to double both its student body and its number of academic programs.

The college also brings together students from different communities across Israel. Approximately 65% of Sapir students come from southern Israel, and approximately 15% are Arab citizens of Israel, many of them Bedouins from the Negev. Jewish and Bedouin students study alongside students from Sderot, rural communities, new immigrant families and Israel's major cities.

About Sapir College:

Sapir College is one of Israel's largest public colleges and the only college in the Gaza Envelope, less than two miles from the Gaza border. With more than 8,000 students, 15 Bachelor's Degree departments and nine Master's Degree programs, it serves students from across Israel, with approximately 65% from southern Israel and approximately 15% who are Arab citizens of Israel, many of them Bedouins from the Negev. The college is the largest employer in the area surrounding Gaza and a regional hub for higher education, innovation, entrepreneurship and economic development.