Ontario Premier Receives TAU Award

Tel Aviv University bestowed one of its highest honors on Kathleen Wynne, premier of the Canadian province of Ontario, on May 16. Wynne visited TAU and received the President's Award during a trade mission of the Ontario government to Israel.  In presenting her with the award, TAU President Prof. Joseph Klafter praised Wynne for being "a true friend of academic freedom and dialogue." 

"With your humanitarian approach and commitment to tolerance and inclusion, you are a role model for leaders everywhere," he told her at the ceremony.

The Award cited Wynne for "her pioneering role as the first female premier of Ontario; her deep social commitment in spearheading important educational, employment and civic initiatives; her tireless efforts to strengthen the standing of Ontario within the global community; and her warm friendship and solidarity with the State of Israel and the Jewish people."

Premier Wynne (left) with TAU President Joseph Klafter.

Following the award ceremony, Prof. Klafter signed memoranda for research and academic cooperation with McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, and renewed an existing agreement with York University in Toronto. In addition to York, President Klafter acknowledged TAU's fruitful partnerships with Ontario universities Queen's and University of  Toronto.

Premier Wynne's delegation  included  Ontario Minister of Health Eric Hoskins, Minister of Research & Innovation Reza Moridi,  Mayor of Brampton, Ontario Linda Jeffrey, Member of Provincial Parliament Monte Kwinter, Consul General of Israel in Toronto DJ Schneeweiss, and the lay leaders and staff of Canadian Friends of TAU. Canadian Ambassador to Israel Vivian Bercovici attended the award ceremony.