Chairman's Message
Dear Colleagues and Friends,
Background
As you know, the field of Industrial Engineering and Management in Israel encompasses three national activities: The biennial National Conference in collaboration with industry and academia, the biennial Ira Foundation’s National Research Conference, and the annual Ira Foundation’s National Hackathon® for engineering, industry, management, data sciences, and design.
This is the second consecutive year that these professional events are taking place in the midst of Israel’s second War of Independence, with all national systems and civil society fully mobilized to support a war being waged simultaneously on seven fronts. The 11th Ira Foundation’s National Research Conference, was held on May 8, 2024, at the Senate Building, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, under the theme: "Leveraging Technology and Engineering in Times of Ongoing National Crisis." The Ira Foundation’s 7th National Hackathon® took place on September 24–25, 2024, at the School of Industrial Engineering and Management, Shenkar College.
Last year, in 2024, we celebrated the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, initiated by the philosopher A’chad Ha’am and industrialists from the Wissotzky family, Kalonymus, and his son, David. Additionally, we marked 100 years since the establishment of the Association of Engineers and Architects in the Land of Israel, which later evolved into the Association of Engineers, Architects, and Academics in the Technological Sciences in Israel. These academic and technological organizations were founded even before the establishment of the State of Israel and paved the way for the country’s emergence as the “Startup Nation.”
A New Era in Engineering, Industry, and Management
We are entering a new era in engineering, industry, and management for several reasons:
- A growing Demand for our academic programs. Our field is more sought-after than ever before, with the number of applicants to faculties in this discipline increasing every year.
- Technological Advancements. Artificial intelligence (AI), data science, and their derivatives are being integrated at an accelerated pace into all aspects of education and research.
- Global Challenges. Security, health and geopolitical challenges require a renewed realignment of logistics, operational and management systems based on our academic discipline.
- Innovative Academic and Curriculum Methods. Advanced engineering education models in the 21st century are influencing curricula, including flipped learning, project-based learning (PBL), and the "Academic Coupon®" approach.
The 24th National Conference on Industrial Engineering and Management
On behalf of the National Organizing Committee, I am honored to invite you to participate in the 24th National Conference on Industrial Engineering and Management, which will take place on April 28, 2025, at the Open University.
Industrial Engineering and Management is an interdisciplinary field that addresses diverse national and international challenges. The Israeli Conference on Industrial Engineering and Management serves as a central platform for academia, industry, government, and both public and private organizations to exchange knowledge and shape the profession's future.
This year’s conference will focus on the impact of artificial intelligence and ongoing emergency situations on industrial engineering and management. Key topics will include: Artificial Intelligence, Data sciences, Machine Learning, Deep Learning, Applied robotics, Internet of Things (IoT), Industry 5.0, Aggrotech, Energy systems, Multidisciplinary rehabilitation systems, Gamification as a platform for education, rehabilitation, and recreation.
The conference will feature plenary sessions, parallel lecture sessions, and keynote speeches. Awards will be presented for outstanding research papers and articles under the sponsorship of the Ira Foundation®. Additionally, a competition for outstanding undergraduate and graduate final projects will be held among Israeli academic institutions, also supported by the Ira Foundation®. Lifetime Achievement Awards will be granted by both academia and industry.
I invite all of you to take part in the conference—submit abstracts, propose sessions and panels according to the submission guidelines on the conference website, register for the event, and participate in discussions that will help shape the future of Industrial Engineering and Management in a dynamic, global, and competitive environment.
With collegial regards,
Prof. Emeritus Ehud Menipaz, Ben-Gurion University
Conference Chairman