Michael Mizrahi is the innovator of the summer Transdisciplinary Innovation Program (TIP) which will take place this September. Taking precious time out of his extremely busy schedule to speak with the HUBS marketing team, he shared with us the program’s purpose and what students will learn from TIP especially this year.
- What have you been up to recently?
“Since the start of the war, I have been working in conjunction with the Ministry of Economics and Labor on their program for economic growth. Out of the five “competitive clusters” (hi-tech, desert-tech, cybersecurity, defense and agro-food/health-tech) that the Ministry is focusing on, I am responsible for hi-tech. The emphasis is on understanding how we can create more jobs, increase the GDP, bring more foreign investors to Israel and develop an infrastructure for ensuring startups’ success.”
- What is the underlying ethos of TIP?
“I am a practical person which meansI have a “tachilis” [down to earth] approach to academia. This means that I believe in having a program that both implements and supplements the university's esteemed academic theories. I want to give students tools to solve problems, to take an idea, facilitate it and execute it, and also to learn from people in the field. The best education comes from inspiration! Look with your eyes, walk with your feet and see it in practice. This is what makes the best things we know of in Israel.”
- What is special about the TIP program?
“I love everything about TIP, and this year is no different. It’s a fascinating lens on the world of venture capital and startups. It’s a real “hands-on” experience into the knowledge and also the professional network of the innovation industry. The course is truly about experiencing the energy and atmosphere of different industries with a slight focus on digital health this year. We bring our students from academia to R&D and to analysis and execution. Most importantly, our field trips are to startups that engage with what people really need.”
- What will be its challenges and advantages given the wartime situation?
“There are obviously a few aspects that have changed. For example, TIP is usually a two-month program, but this year it is only one. On one hand, we’ve lost some content, but on the other, that means we’ve chosen the very best of it all. It will be concentrated and very intensive with all the content, but it is in fact a very beautiful thing to experience so fast. On another level, this also gives a “credits catch-up” opportunity to students who missed credits due to reserve duty.”
- Students might be worried that this isn’t the time for a startup education with unrest in the country, what is your perspective?
“If there is anything that will get us out of this all, it is creativity, innovation and technology. Technology changes the world, and we need it. This is a critical opportunity for us to stay aligned and in touch with the industry. This is a value not just for the university, but also for students because the skills are still the same skills. We need to look at things in a practical sense. We should look forward to the future, build now and always build again.”
- What advice do you have for TIP students this year?
“Don’t limit yourselves. Collect and develop your skills, and don’t stress over the grades. Don’t be afraid to fail and learn from your mistakes. You can always try again.”
- Do you have a final message?
“These are difficult times for the students and the country. I hope we can actually have some fun and focus on hope.”
For more information on the Transdisciplinary Innovation Program, contact Ms. Ruba Mashni at imba@savion.huji.ac.il or visit: https://overseas.huji.ac.il/academics/summer-and-short-term-programs/sum...