Tikkun Olam: Ensuring Sustainable Development

The world hungers for groundbreaking innovations that overcome the greatest challenge of our times: Ensuring food, water, health and energy in a sustainable manner. This challenge is of the highest priority in developing countries and particularly among the poorest communities in Southeast Asia and Africa. With its recognized scientific, high-tech and agricultural expertise, Israel could make a huge difference in the lives of millions of people through tikkun olam, repairing the world; the only question is how to do this best.

Tel Aviv University offers a unique and proven approach. In the style of an “academic peace corps,” multidisciplinary teams of TAU professors and students apply their knowledge directly in countries like India and Kenya. They work on-site in collaboration with local farmers and cottage manufacturers, partner universities, NGOs and Israeli tech companies. In projects up to a semester in length, the teams research and test methods for improving agricultural yield, saving water, reducing pollution and more. What’s especially powerful about this model is that TAU can deliver scientifically rigorous yet inexpensive solutions that can benefit entire communities and countries. Demand from abroad is quickly growing and in many cases TAU funding is leveraged with local matching, such as from Tata Trusts in southern India.

Supporting R&D in sustainable development provides a remarkable opportunity for donors who dream of applying Israeli expertise to tikkun olam.

Naming Opportunities – Sustainable Development

Zimin Institute for Engineering Solutions Advancing Better Lives: FUNDED
Mints Institute for Strategic Policy Solutions for Global Challenges: FUNDED
Research and Training Laboratory for Sustainable Technologies
Precision Agriculture for Improved Nutrition Research Fund
Wastewater Treatment Technology R&D Fund
Digital Village Project, integrating sensors and big data
Gates Foundation & ICIPE, Kenya Pest Management Fund: FUNDED

To support or receive more information about one of these projects, please contact your local TAU Friends Association or TAU’s Development and Public Affairs Division at +972-3-640-8249 or campaign@tauex.tau.ac.il.