A group of university presidents from across the United States are now in Israel to enhance bilateral academic cooperation.

The 17-member delegation will also get an up close view of the complex issues facing the region.

Taking part in the week-long project are presidents of Hendrix College, Drexel University, Colgate University, St. Edward’s University, University of West Georgia, Case Western Reserve University, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, University of California and president of the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities.

The program, designed by Project Interchange, includes visits to Tel Aviv University, Hebrew University, Al Quds University and Al-Qasemi College.

Strong thematic emphasis is being put on higher education. The group will receive in-depth briefings on state-of-the-art research initiatives being undertaken and will discuss opportunities for academic exchange and research collaborations at the undergraduate, graduate, and faculty levels.

“We are tremendously pleased to host this exceptional delegation of university leaders for their first of hopefully many trips to Israel. The world-class research and educational facilities at Israeli universities and colleges, a number of which will be visited during the program, provide a fitting setting for great minds to share information, discuss research partnerships, and explore opportunities for mutually-beneficial collaboration,” said Sam Witkin, Executive Director of Project Interchange.

The delegation is also planning to meet with senior government officials, including Israeli President Shimon Peres and Palestinian National Authority Prime Minister Salam Fayyad.