<strong>IDC</strong> STUDENTS ARE BEING TRAINED 6 < <strong>IDC</strong> Winter 2010 TO TAKE OVER THE LEADERSHIP
OF ISRAEL <strong>IDC</strong> NOW BOASTS SEVEN SCHOOLS THAT OFFER FULLY ACCREDITED BACHELOR’S DEGREES, SOME ALREADY OFFERING MASTER’S PROGRAMS AS WELL. THERE ARE RESEARCH CENTERS DEVOTED TO THE STUDY OF COUNTERTERRORISM, THE MIDDLE EAST, EUROPE, RENEWABLE ENERGY AND MORE, EACH OF WHICH SPONSORS INTERNATIONAL, WORLD RENOWNED CONFERENCES One-On-One with PrOf. reichmAn <strong>The</strong> son of a mechanic, Prof. Uriel Reichman rose from humble beginnings to become the dean of Tel Aviv University’s law school, founder and president of Israel’s first private university and a member of Israel’s parliament. But sitting across him now in his office, a small room located in a one story building built in a bygone era, I see a man who remembers his roots and holds fast to his deepest values. “<strong>The</strong> act of founding a new discipline or approach is incredibly rewarding, well beyond monetary value,” says Reichman, looking back on the incredible accomplishment of <strong>IDC</strong>. “<strong>The</strong>re comes a certain age when a person needs to examine himself and seriously begin budgeting his time and life and ask himself where can he make the most effective contribution. I have enough to provide for my family in the years to come, and beyond that I see my modest contribution as a way of fulfilling the modern return to Zionism and contributing to the success of the Zionist Revolution.” Just one step away from Reichman’s office is the overwhelming reality of how much has been accomplished in the 15 years since <strong>IDC</strong>’s establishment. <strong>IDC</strong> now boasts seven schools that offer fully accredited bachelor’s degrees, some already offering master’s programs as well. <strong>The</strong>re are research centers devoted to the study of counter-terrorism, the Middle East, Europe, Alternative Energy and more, each of which sponsors international, worldrenowned conferences. <strong>The</strong> campus itself constantly buzzes with activity from the thousands of students, faculty members and guests. Most striking is the look on students’ faces; it’s a look that says ‘I’m in this world to make a difference, to do something important with life and I’m not going to waste a minute getting there.’ According to Reichman, <strong>IDC</strong>’s educational approach can be summed up in two words: Liberty and Responsibility. “We expect our students to show initiative, realize their plans and make their dreams come true, rather than succumb to the status quo,” says Prof. Reichman. “We encourage them never to wait for the government to solve their problems, and we promise to provide them with the tools to fend for themselves and run their lives in a free, independent, and entrepreneurial manner.” When asked if he could say a few more words about how <strong>IDC</strong> envisions its students will take responsibility, he answers: “<strong>The</strong> future depends on those hundreds of thousands of people who are willing to take on responsibility. Responsibility is serving in the army, serving on reserve duty, participating in social service activities and contributing to society. It entails joining the cause, without hindering your personal advancement. <strong>The</strong> future of the State of Israel is dependent upon an alternative leadership which will arise, and I believe that many of its members will have come through the doors of <strong>IDC</strong>.” <strong>IDC</strong> Winter 2010 > 7
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