8200 Alumni Association

Israel’s National Security agencies are now building a cyber-security and warfare capacity which would allow them to monitor computer communications, to defend national infrastructure from computer hacking, and so forth. This endeavor is expected to have a ripple effect on many elements of life in Israel. For example, alumni of these agencies would have the right skills and experience to create startup companies, and utilize their knowhow to build a new line of high tech expertise in Israel. In preparation and anticipation for such a development, the government and Ben-Gurion University are currently planning a new high-tech park, next to the planned military intelligence facility in southern Israel.

Thus new demand from the defense system may also affect the education system, as hundreds of high school graduates are being screened and recruited to army service to perform cyber security duties. First steps have already been taken in the education system a couple of years ago, as dozens of high school students in the southern periphery have joined extracurricular advanced computer activities. They are mentored by alumni of army units as part of a collaborative effort with the Rashi Foundation. Initial discussions with the Ministry of Education have also commenced, leading to the pilot testing of a new learning track in high school which would be dedicated to cyber security.

This emerging development is controversial among education experts, and it could be either a challenge or an opportunity for the Trump Foundation’s strategy. Opponents of this trend claim that schools should refrain from teaching specific vocational training and maintain their focus on the basic skills. We at the Trump Foundation have a vested interest in the educational implications of this project, as long as it increases and not decrease student participation in advanced mathematics and science. Therefore, in the past months we have been in touch with leaders of this enterprise in order to learn about their future plans.

As a result of these discussions, we have now been asked to help seed a non-profit association which would lead the pilot testing of the new cybernetics learning track. In the coming year, and as a preparatory stage, the 8200 unit alumni association will hire a project manager who would plan an educational program, including the development of special learning materials, teacher training, and recruiting volunteer teaching assistants from high-tech, academia, and the army. In a second stage and after the new nonprofit organization is established, the project leaders, in collaboration with the Education Ministry, aim to expand the implementation of the program from its current operation in 12 schools to 40 schools across the country.

* The text above shows the grant as approved by the Foundation’s Board of Directors / Grant 109
** In practice, the leaders of the program moved much faster than initially planned. They collaborated with the Rashi foundation, the Ministries of Defense and Education, and the high-tech industry. As a result, it was recommended to cancel the grant.