Afeka was presented with the Defense Minister’s Shield, a prestigious accolade given to organizations and institutions that have shown extraordinary commitment to reservists. The shield was awarded to Afeka for its broad, consistent support for students and staff who have been called up for reserve duty since the beginning of the Swords of Iron War.

The award was presented in a festive ceremony attended by Defense Minister Israel Katz, IDF Chief of General Staff Eyal Zamir, and Chief Reserve Officer Benny Ben Ari. Accepting the award on behalf of Afeka were its CEO, Shoshi Zonband Tamari CPA, and its Vice President of Academic Affairs, Prof. Moshe Tshuva. Afeka was recognized alongside other leading academic institutions, including the Technion and Bar-Ilan University.

Since October 7th, about 42% of Afeka’s students have been called up for reserve duty, an unprecedented figure within higher education. Many were called up by instant summons and served hundreds of days, while coping with significant mental, physical, and academic strain. Behind these statistics are people, stories, battle experiences, and trauma – which continue long after being discharged.

Against this reality, Afeka considers support for reservists to be an institutional, ethical, and national duty. Since the war began, Afeka has built a comprehensive support system that includes individual academic adjustments, study plans and accommodations, tutoring, personal mentoring, emotional guidance, and financial aid, all while maintaining high academic standards and scholastic continuity.
Additionally, in the coming year, Afeka will implement a broad framework of support and resilience, designed to serve as a true human safety net. This includes lectures, workshops, and activities designed for those who have returned from the front lines – but also for members of staff – based on the idea of system-wide responsibility to see, ask, listen, and identify distress.

Prof. Yossi Rosenwaks, President of Afeka:

“Supporting the reserve forces is an integral part of Afeka’s DNA. Being awarded the Defense Minister’s Shield is an honor, but the true credit belongs to the serving students, who show extraordinary responsibility, devotion, and leadership. It is our academic, moral, and national obligation to stand by them and give them all they need to succeed.”

The recognition signified by the Defense Minister’s Shield reflects the way in which Afeka chooses to act: Through listening, flexibility, ongoing support, and being truly present for those who bear the burden of Israel’s defense.