Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU) and the University of Miami (UM) have signed an agreement to collaborate in areas that include joint research programs, academic cooperative programs and student exchange programs.

The agreement was signed by BGU President Rivka Carmi and UM President Donna E. Shalala, who recently received an honorary doctoral degree from BGU.

“The University of Miami has quickly moved into the top ranks of American universities and we have now found our Israeli counterpart,” President Shalala said at the signing ceremony at BGU. “It is vital for our two institutions to join our minds, voices and hands in the service of our collective humanity. A lifetime dedicated to public service has taught me that education and research are the best tools for building bonds of friendship and mutual respect among peoples and nations.”

Both universities are now working on developing collaborative and cooperative programs of study in the fields of humanities and fine arts, social and behavioral sciences, engineering and mathematics, earth sciences and management sciences. Under this agreement, the universities may co-sponsor local and international seminars and colloquia as well as exchange faculty and research information.

The universities may also establish a joint student exchange program.

“This is a very exciting development for students and researchers at both universities, with the potential to closely link two world class institutions,” said Elise Dolgow, director of the Greater Florida Region of American Associates, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev. “In South Florida, our supporters and the community-at-large should anticipate many exciting programs, joint research developments and cooperative projects in a number of areas.”