About 100 IDF veterans who were seriously injured in the Swords of Iron war are in the process of being admitted to Tel Aviv University without taking the psychometric exam, Walla reported on Wednesday.
So far, about 30 veterans have been admitted, and the university hopes that by the end of the registration process, all remaining candidates will also be enrolled.
Additionally, during the open day on Friday, the university hosted a special VIP area for IDF veterans, where they received guidance on programs, admissions, and the support services the university offers. The area was staffed by representatives from the Ministry of Defense's Rehabilitation Department.
This follows a special admissions framework approved by Tel Aviv University for IDF veterans undergoing rehabilitation and recovery, allowing them to enroll in first-year undergraduate studies without the psychometric exam.
Disabled IDF veterans eligible for accomodations under same framework as reserve soldiers
“Since the outbreak of the Iron Swords war, we have witnessed a difficult and painful reality,” said Reuven Castro, during the university’s academic year opening.
The special admissions framework applies to IDF veterans recognized by the Ministry of Defense’s Rehabilitation Department with a disability rate of 20% or more, approved about three months ago.
Under the decision, candidates currently in rehabilitation due to physical or mental injuries are eligible for the same accommodations granted under the special admissions framework for reserve soldiers, allowing them to enroll in first-year undergraduate studies without a psychometric exam. The framework covers all fields of study on campus, except medicine.
Tel Aviv University will also provide these students with comprehensive support, including personalized guidance from professionals to address academic, individual, and social challenges, academic mentoring from top tutors, skill-building workshops, community activities, enrichment sessions, and a high-tech learning center with adaptive technological tools.
“Since the outbreak of the Iron Swords war, we have witnessed a difficult and painful reality, in which thousands of Israelis soldiers and security personnel face physical and mental injuries that will affect their lives for many years. As a society and as a public university, we have a deep responsibility to stand by them not just in words, but in action," Tel Aviv University's vice rector, Professor Gal Oestreicher-Singer, said.
"We believe in the rehabilitative power of academic studies and campus life, and see it as a great privilege,” Oestreicher Singer added.