It is in this spirit that we are currently establishing the Lauder Center for the Advancement of Employment in the Negev, a large-scale endeavor that is intended to assist in the development of the Negev and inthe rapid advancement of the City of Beer-Sheva. The opening of the Center constitutes an important milestone, which will provide high-quality, professional tools for professional guidance, employment solutions and job creation.

Currently, a large segment of university graduates do not remain in the Negev after the completion of their studies due to a lack of challenging jobs. I am convinced that this reality can be changed through an employment horizon and employment opportunities that we shall offer the graduates, in cooperation with industry and business leaders.

The establishment of the Center is primarily designed to entice university and college graduates to continue to live in the Negev and build their future here.

Located in the center of Beer-Sheva, a vibrant and rapidly changing city, is Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, a well-established academic institution that produces a new generation of scientists, engineers, researchers, physicists and a managerial cadre every year, from which will arise the future generation of leadership of the Negev and of the State of Israel.

I am convinced that the Israeli industry will be wise enough to utilize these brilliant minds for the benefit of the Israeli economy. In view of the competitive and changing global reality of the 21st century and in the spirit of entrepreneurship and the rapid development of the City of Beer-Sheva, the transfer of knowledge-intensive industries to the Negev, the relocation of IDF units and bases to the Negev, along with the identification of the unique DNA of the graduates, are essential for the city to become, as promised, the “capital of the opportunitie of Israel.”

The opening of the Lauder Center is also a conceptual opening that will continue to develop into additional services over time, which will drive the Negev forward. My project partners and I are proud to be part of the national effort that expresses confidence and support in the City of Beer-Sheva and the entire Negev, where the true future of the State of Israel lies.

Dear Students,

As part of the vision of Ben-Gurion University of the Negev to play a central role in the development of the Negev, we help our graduates join the rapidly growing workplace in the South, and attain leadership positions in the Israeli economy. To this end, the Lauder Employment Center was created in collaboration with BGU and JNF. This Center is the brainchild of Mr. Ronald Lauder, President of the World Jewish Congress, former President of the Jewish National Fund, and recipient of an Honorary Doctorate from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev. Mr. Lauder is also a great friend and generous supporter of the City of Beer-Sheva. The Center’s main goal is to generate personal motivation, actively encourage the students of BGU to pursue their careers, and to help students and alumni of BGU join the job market by providing them with a variety of skills to enable them to plan and manage their careers, and to realize their personal and employment potential.

The Center will develop a model to promote appropriate, successful and long-lasting employment of Arab academicians. The Center will also put special emphasis on students and alumni with learning disabilities, people with physical limitations and other targeted groups. By forwarding these goals, the Center will help ensure employment and a better future for thousands of excellent BGU graduates, who will make their home and raise their families in the South, thus enabling the entire region to thrive and prosper.

I hope that you will make the most of it and wish you every success.

The Ronald S. Lauder Employment Center is a joint venture of Ben-Gurion University of the Negev and the Jewish National Fund. The Center will house the student support office for Ben-Gurion University alumni and students, providing individual career development and job opportunities. The Center will also provide assistance in promoting business development in the Negev. The Center will also offer solutions to potential employers by emphasizing the quality of the people who live in the Negev and connecting them.

Under the chairmanship of Ronald S. Lauder, the Center will also host international gatherings to promote business opportunities. We are proud that the Center will also house our JNF Negevision Authority offices. Under the leadership of Doron Almog and Ronald Lauder, we will work in partnership with all of the Mayors, leaders and our partners for population growth and jobs. Negevision is a proactive approach making connections and bringing opportunities and initiatives to the Negev on a coordinated basis. We will work with all the communities and organizations to leverage government money and to make sure we are utilizing our philanthropic investment in the best possible and powerful way, always focusing on our goal of bringing 500,000 people to the Negev.