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The development of Israel’s Negev desert took a significant leap with the inauguration of Be’er Sheva’s Advanced Technologies Park (ATP) in which Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU) is the academic research partner. Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu presided over the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
A joint public-private partnership of BGU, the Be’er Sheva Municipality, KUD International LLC, and Gav-Yam Negev, the first building of the ATP was completed and occupied this summer by international companies that include Oracle, Deutsche Telekom, EMC2, RSA, and ECI Telecom. New incubators such as Elbit Incubit and Jerusalem Venture Partner’s CyberLabs, as well as BGN Technologies, BGU’s technology transfer company, have also taken space.
The ATP is adjacent to BGU’s Marcus Family Campus. When finished, it will encompass 16 buildings on 23 acres, with 2 million square feet of office and lab space, a conference center and hotel. The site was designed by KUD International LLC, based in Los Angeles, and a subsidiary of the Japan-based Kajima Corporation, one of the world’s largest development and construction firms.
A similar amount of space next to the commercial park will be used by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), whose elite technology units are relocating to the Negev to take advantage of the resources at BGU and in the ATP.
Prime Minister Netanyahu declared the park a national cyber center that will maximize the resources of the university, the IDF and the new high-tech tenants. In order to advance the issue, NIS 40 million ($11 million) in government support has been allocated over the next three years for companies that establish cyber innovation centers in Be’er Sheva.
Speaking at the ceremony, Netanyahu stated that “We are launching the economic anchor that will turn Be’er Sheva into a national and international center for cyber security. We are changing the future of Israel and we are doing it in Be’er Sheva.”
Cyber security is a major focus and strength at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev. The university’s emphasis on applied research in information systems is unparalleled in Israel.
“The goal is to create a ‘Silicon Wadi,’ harnessing the research and brainpower emerging from BGU and the IDF, as well as to provide high-paying jobs to keep Israel’s best and brightest in the area,” says Daphna Noily, director of the Northwest Region of American Associates, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (AABGU).
“This academic-business-government partnership is the ultimate fulfillment of David Ben-Gurion’s dream to develop the Negev through science and technology,” says Noily. “BGU will play a prominent role in major technology innovations that will secure Israel’s future.”
The project was originally the vision of MK Professor Avishay Braverman, conceived when he was president of BGU. Bay Area high-tech leaders and AABGU supporters Zvi Alon, Eric Benhamou and Harry and Carol Saal — lead donors of BGU’s Alon Building for Hi-Tech — further refined the vision. However, it was not until 2007 that it moved to the national agenda when Marvin J. Suomi, the Los Angeles-based president and chief executive officer of KUD International became involved, bringing the parties together to develop the project.
“This is a project that took courage and vision to implement,” says Suomi. “Without the unwavering support of [Be’er Sheva’s] Mayor Ruvik Danilovich, BGU President Rivka Carmi and their leadership teams, I doubt we could have been successful. It is one of the best examples in the world of the public and private sectors successfully partnering.”
Professir Rivka Carmi added that, “The opening of the Advanced Technologies Park in Be’er Sheva will be remembered as the turning point in the development of the Negev. We have always been at the geographical heart of Israel. Now we are on our way to becoming the true center for innovation and growth.”
To learn more about the pioneering research and academic programs that are flourishing in the Negev, contact Daphna Noily at [email protected] or (415) 927-2119.