Ben-Gurion University of the Negev honored seven impressive individuals with honorary doctorates on Tuesday evening during its 55th annual Board of Governors Meeting.
14/05/2025
Social media star "Nas Daily" Nuseir Yassin, author Nicole Krauss, philanthropist Sami Sagol, singer Andrey Makarevich, Israeli-Ukrainian artist Zoya Cherkassky, nursing advocate Prof. Judith Shamian, and endocrinologist Prof. Moshe Philip honored
Ben-Gurion University of the Negev honored seven impressive individuals with honorary doctorates on Tuesday evening during its 55th annual Board of Governors Meeting.
They included social media star Nuseir Yassin, better known as "Nas Daily", author Nicole Krauss, Russian-Israeli singer Andrey Makarevich, Israeli-Ukrainian artist Zoya Cherkassky, Canadian-Israeli nurse and nursing advocate Prof. Judith Shamian, renowned endocrinologist Prof. Moshe Phillip, and industrialist and philanthropist Sami Sagol.
Ben-Gurion University of the Negev President Prof. Daniel Chamovitz, "Ben-Gurion University of the Negev is proud to confer an honorary doctorate upon seven distinguished individuals who embody the legacy of David Ben-Gurion, representing human excellence at its finest and combining exceptional achievements in academic, scientific, and creative excellence, through outstanding service to the University, or through activities of notable benefit to society and humanity as a whole. Their acceptance of an honorary degree from BGU reflects that honor back on to our institution and what it stands for, providing a mirror within which we hope to see a bit of ourselves. Their actions and accomplishments are an inspiration to all of us."
In alphabetical order:
Zoya Cherkassky
Artist Zoya Cherkassky is one of the most prominent voices of her generation. A recipient of the Sandberg Prize for Israeli Art, her art interweaves her experience of immigration form Ukraine to Israel with Israeli culture. A successful artist on the international stage, she explores war, displacement, and prejudice in Israel. Most recently, her works reference October 7 in international exhibitions in New York and Vienna.
From the scroll: "In acknowledgment of an exceptional visual artist who skillfully presents the intricacies of Israeli identity and the complexities of our lived reality on the international stage; with deep regard for a gifted painter, illustrator, and sculptor – among the most prominent voices of her generation in the Israeli art scene – recognized for her significant contribution to the visual arts and for her powerful works, which are held in esteemed collections around the world and spark deep reflection and dialogue; with admiration for the recipient of the Sandberg Prize for Israeli Art who masterfully weaves together her personal life story with profound questions at the heart of the human experience, including her childhood in Ukraine, immigration to Israel, war, displacement, and an enduring sense of alienation and prejudice; to an ambassador of Israeli art, in heartfelt appreciation of her recent exhibitions in New York and Vienna, which offered a searing and poignant artistic response to the events of October 7."
Nicole Krauss
Hailed by the New York Times as “one of America’s most important novelists and an international literary sensation,” she is the author of the international bestsellers, Forest Dark, Great House, and The History of Love, which won the Saroyan Prize for International Literature and France’s Prix du Meilleur Livre Étranger. To Be a Man, her first collection of short stories, was published in November 2020, and won the Wingate Literary Prize.
From the scroll: "In tribute to a distinguished author whose luminous writing interweaves philosophical depth, aesthetic sensitivity, and a singular exploration of the human psyche; in homage to an internationally acclaimed literary figure, whose award-winning works have been translated into dozens of languages and enriched the world of literature and culture; with deep appreciation for a woman of letters whose remarkable oeuvre – from Man Walks into a Room, through The History of Love to Forest Dark – illuminates the human experience with a singular voice that transcends time and place to offer a unique and profound perspective on the interplay between past and present, and between the personal and the collective; in gratitude to a cherished friend of the State of Israel, for her role in deepening intergenerational and cross-cultural understanding of modern Jewish identity and the enduring quest for belonging and meaning."
Andrey Makarevich
Is the lead singer-songwriter and guitarist of the rock band Mashina Vremeni (Time Machine), the longest still active rock band in Russian history. He founded the group when he was just 16 years old and has become a towering figure on the Russian music scene and around the world. He is a staunch Zionist and has made his home in Israel since 2022.
From the scroll: "In homage to an exceptional singer-songwriter, a towering figure on the Russian stage, who has influenced the development of his native land’s rock music for over five decades; in tribute to a brilliant musician who, at the age of 16, founded the legendary band Mashina Vremeni, which he leads to this day, composing countless songs that have touched the hearts of millions and left an indelible mark on culture, both in his homeland and around the world; to a passionate Zionist, a steadfast supporter of the State of Israel, in appreciation of his courageous and unwavering commitment to justice, standing against all forms of aggression and violence, even at great personal cost, and his efforts to promote dialogue, tolerance, and human rights."
Prof. Moshe Phillip
Is a renowned endocrinologist. He is the inventor of an artificial pancreas, numerous diabetes tests including one to diagnose infants with Type 1. A graduate of Ben-Gurion University of the Negev's medical school, he is the Director of the Institute of Endocrinology and Diabetes, the National Center for Juvenile Diabetes at Schneider Children's Medical Center.
From the scroll: "In recognition of an outstanding physician and brilliant researcher whose exceptional contributions to the field of pediatric endocrinology have led to groundbreaking advances in the treatment of childhood diabetes; in tribute to a gifted and influential scientist whose extensive academic and clinical achievements – including the development of an artificial pancreas, an early diagnostic test for type 1 diabetes in infants, automated insulin delivery systems, and numerous additional initiatives under his leadership – have revolutionized the treatment of children with diabetes and growth disorders; with respect for a graduate of the third class of the medical school at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev and the Director of the Institute of Endocrinology and Diabeters at Schneider Children's Medical Center, who has held numerous leadership positions within the Negev’s healthcare system, at the Faculty of Health Sciences, and leading scientific organizations in Israel and abroad.
Sami Sagol
Is a longtime philanthropist with a special passion for education. He created the Sagol Neuroscience Network, which supports multi-disciplinary research centers, laboratories and projects in leading academic, scientific and medical institutions. Ben-Gurion University is proud to join that network with the establishment of the Sagol Medical School for International Health, which will be inaugurated during the Board of Governors.
From the scroll: "With admiration for his unwavering commitment to advancing inclusive employment opportunities across society and strengthening Israel’s geographic and social periphery; to a visionary philanthropist whose patronage sustains countless worthy organizations, in recognition of his vision for the Sagol Network which has revolutionized research in brain studies and aging; with deep regard for a devoted social entrepreneur who channels his time, talents, and boundless energy into the service of Israeli society through programs for children with learning disabilities, the advancement of education and social development, the establishment of cultural institutions, and the provision of scholarships; and with heartfelt gratitude for his sponsorship of the Sagol Medical School for International Health at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev."
Prof. Judith Shamian
Is a fierce advocate for nursing worldwide. As the former president of the International Council of Nurses, the Victorian Order of Nurses, and the Canadian Nurses Association, she has campaigned tirelessly on behalf of the profession. In addition to her advocacy, she has been a nurse in both Israel and Canada.
From the scroll: "In recognition of an inspiring global leader in the nursing profession, a past President of the International Council of Nurses, for her invaluable contributions to shaping healthcare policy internationally; with esteem for the daughter of Holocaust survivors who immigrated from Hungary to Israel, trained as a nurse, and cared for countless wounded during the Yom Kippur War, ultimately rising to serve as the President of the Canadian Nurses Association; with sincere admiration for an internationally renowned recipient of numerous honors, for her unwavering commitment to advancing nursing to the forefront of healthcare policymaking, and for her dedicated efforts in guiding the profession into the future."
Nuseir Yassin
Is better known as "Nas Daily," where he has amassed an audience of tens of millions for his one minute videos, which have been viewed billions of times. Yassin has an insatiable curiosity about the world and its varied cultures, which he shares with his followers. Since October 7, 2023, he has been an outspoken advocate for co-existence between Israelis and Palestinians.
From the scroll: "In recognition of a gifted and influential content creator, whose deep commitment to promoting tolerance and coexistence has helped build bridges of understanding and respect between people everywhere; in tribute to the child from Arraba, a village in the Galillee, who grew up to become a groundbreaking video producer and global social media star known as Nas Daily, amassing tens of millions of followers; with respect for a unique individual who harnesses his abilities, public influence, and boundless energy to many noble causes, including community-building worldwide, fostering belief in the power of education to enhance mutual understanding and transform society, and an unwavering pursuit of harmony and benevolence; with appreciation for a courageous activist who calls Israel his home and repeatedly places his social capital and personal reputation on the line in his resolute stand against terrorism and violence."
