Prof. Rivka Tuval-Mashiach is the new Academic Head of Bar-Ilan University’s International School. She takes over from Prof. Rachel Dekel, who served in the position since the school’s inauguration in May 2018.
Prof. Tuval-Mashiach is a clinical psychologist and Professor in BIU’s Department of Psychology. She is also the chief psychologist and chair of the steering committee of NATAL, the Israel Center for Victims of Terror and War.
Her research and clinical work include the study of the use of narrative approaches to diagnose and treat people exposed to trauma and those with PTSD. She also studies collective trauma, gender and trauma, and identity-construction processes following traumatic events. She uses qualitative and mixed methods in her research and has published extensively on these topics.
“Working with the International School as its Academic Head has been interesting and challenging so far, especially over the past few months since October 7,” said Prof. Tuval-Mashiach, who came on board in September 2023.
“Due to the atrocities that took place and the resulting Hamas-Israel War, we have had to change our focus regarding our international students. Besides the fact that we had to postpone the start of the new academic year, many of our current students who stayed in Israel have needed more support from our department than usual and we are committed to helping them in whatever way they need.
“We are happy to say that the academic year finally got underway at the end of December and the university has, once again, become a vibrant, inspiring place to be. The existing international students have all returned and new students have started their studies,” she said.
Bar-Ilan University is still mindful of the existing tragic situation with the hostages in Gaza and the ongoing war and has held events to support the families of the hostages during the past few months. However, the focus has now returned to ensuring all students, including international students and new olim (immigrant) students, have a full and rewarding university experience.
Roles and Responsibilities
Bar-Ilan University’s mission to create a global university is strengthened by its success in creating valuable collaborations, partnerships, and exchange programs with universities and institutions abroad. All international collaborations at the department level go through the International School. No department can sign a research-related or other agreement with a university unless it has been seen and approved by the International School’s executive – Prof. Moshe Lewenstein, BIU’s Deputy President; Ofer Dahan, the Executive Director; and the Academic Head, who is now Prof. Tuval-Mashiach.
Prof. Tuval-Mashiach is responsible for academic collaborations between the various departments and their counterparts internationally, while Dahan focuses on the management, marketing, and administration side of all collaborations and partnerships. He also oversees the department that handles the exchange programs, which is run by Daniel Schuval, Director of Academic Partnerships and Projects and the coordinator of Erasmus+ ICM.
In addition, Prof. Tuval-Mashiach is responsible for ensuring that students’ academic and emotional needs are met as well as assisting doctoral and postdoctoral researchers in their search for the best supervisor possible for their area of expertise.
“I look forward to a stimulating and fulfilling relationship with the International School while being able to help in developing further collaborations and partnerships with universities abroad, but most importantly, I am excited about fostering meaningful relationships with our international students and researchers,” said Prof. Tuval-Mashiach.
