Research in STEM Studies

STEM studies (science, technology, engineering, and technology) are a core and rapidly growing component of the Open University’s educational and research focus. In aggregate, 34 percent of the OUI’s 53,000 students are studying STEM subjects – a total of 18,334 students– and this figure has been growing at over ten percent per year (see Table 1 below).

To underscore the significant impact that the OUI has had on the study of STEM subjects in Israeli institutions of higher education, it is worth noting that twenty-five percent of all computer science students enrolled in Israel’s nine accredited universities are currently studying at the OUI, and this number is growing more rapidly at the OUI than elsewhere (see Table 2 below). The OUI promotes a collaborative approach across the core STEM subjects, which can also incorporate an artistic side (STEAM) emphasizing creativity through problem solving and critical thinking. 

OUI STEM students come from a variety of backgrounds, including outstanding high school students, IDF soldiers, Arabic-speaking students, members of the ultra-Orthodox population, and those from underserved communities. This is a unique situation relative to all other Israeli universities and we place great importance on addressing the unique needs of each of these student populations. For example, we recently launched a new program in computer science for outstanding high-school students in East Jerusalem. 

STEM faculty members are currently focused on a range of key research initiatives, including:

• Algorithms for new driving systems
•  Oceanography
• Atmospheric circulation and its role in the climate system
• Organic chemistry, supramolecular chemistry and development of reactions from sustainable energy.

The OUI’s impact on STEM studies extends far beyond the OUI. As the largest academic book publisher in Israel, the OUI’s books, study guides, and textbooks are broadly used across all other universities in Israel.