Bar-Ilan University (BIU) is an Israeli university located in Ramat Gan, in the Tel Aviv District. The university was founded in 1955 by Rabbi Meir Bar-Ilan, from which it derives its name. It is now Israel’s second largest academic institution and has over 33,000 students enrolled in undergraduate and graduate programs.
BIU is a comprehensive research university. Its main campus includes 12 schools and 36 departments covering a wide range of disciplines including: humanities, social sciences, law, medicine, engineering, computer science, biology and chemistry. In addition to its main campus in Ramat Gan, BIU operates branches in Jerusalem and Safed.
The university’s Faculty of Law is the largest law school in Israel with over 1,200 students enrolled. The Faculty of Medicine operates six hospitals: Assaf Harofeh Medical Center; Beilinson Hospital; Rabin Medical Center; Sheba Medical Center; Sourasky Medical Center; and Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center. These hospitals provide medical services to over two million Israelis annually.
The Board of Trustees consists of 56 members: 20 public figures appointed by the government or the Council for Higher Education; 14 representatives of BIU staff (including faculty members, students and administrative staff); 10 representatives of major Jewish religious streams in Israel; 2 representatives chosen by student organizations at BIU (1 each from the undergraduates and graduates); as well as the President and 3 other senior administrators who serve ex officio.