The Arthur and Rochelle Belfer Institute of Mathematics and Computer Science

Director: Zvi Artstein

The endowment of the Arthur and Rochelle Belfer Institute of Mathematics and Computer Science was established in May 1996. It has been designated to provide long-term, secure financial support for the entire spectrum of research activities of the Faculty. As the endowment accrues over the next few years, it will enable our scientists to expand existing projects or pursue new initiatives in areas which seem to hold great potential for future development.

A significant aim of the Belfer Center is to support visits to the Institute campus of the best talents in mathematics and computer science, including short-term visiting lecturers, as well as longer-term researchers, both from Israel and abroad. One notable part of this effort is support for the prestigious Pekeris Lecture, which is organized by the Faculty in memory of its founder, Prof. Chaim L. Pekeris. The lecture is given annually by a leading mathematician or computer scientist, at the Faculty's invitation.

Another aim of the Center is to support workshops and conferences organized by Faculty scientists and taking place on or off campus. Parts of the funds of the Center are used to purchase computing equipment, such as personal computers, servers and communication equipment, thus updating and improving our ability to communicate with the world at large and to carry out our computerized research with state-of-the-art means.

Part of the Belfer money is used for internal research grants of between $5,000-$25,000, given to faculty scientists for special projects, not supported by other sources. A committee evaluates the proposals and recommends support to the Head of the Center.

The Center plans to initiate activities that do not normally fall under the day-to-day activities of the Faculty, such as visits of groups of scientists to work on joint projects not necessarily represented by current efforts of the Faculty, and advanced courses to be given by outsiders whose fields are not necessarily represented within the Faculty. We hope thereby to increase our visibility and to attract more outstanding students, thus contributing the overall quality and impact of our work.

 

More information on the Belfer Institute