Israel Innovation Project

The Mission of the Israel Innovation Project 

The Israel Innovation Project’s (IIP) mission is to advance Northwestern’s technological and scientific partnerships with Israeli institutions of higher learning through collaborative research, global educational initiatives, innovative business ventures, and public engagement. IIP’s role is to create long-lasting relationships that will expand opportunities for faculty, researchers, students, and partners, to team up with counterparts in Israel.

Director's Welcome

I am the Director of IIP,  Israel Innovation Project (IIP) at Northwestern University—an initiative dedicated to building academic partnerships between Northwestern and institutions of higher learning in Israel, mostly in STEM areas Our work focuses on fostering global collaboration and innovation, particularly in the areas of water technology and sustainability. A cornerstone of our efforts is the partnership between IIP and Northwestern’s Center for Water Research.

Together, we have advanced several key initiatives:

1.        Annual Symposium on Water in Israel and the Middle East
Now in its ninth year, this symposium convenes interdisciplinary experts to address real-world challenges related to water infrastructure, energy systems, and policy across Israel and the Middle East. In partnership with the US-Israel Collaborative Water-Energy Research Center (CoWERC), we are working to develop integrated solutions at the nexus of water and energy.

2.        Global Engineering Trek (GET) on Water in Israel (GET)
This 10-day immersive field program offers undergraduates firsthand experience of Israel’s leadership in water innovation. Through site visits to major facilities, research institutions, and cultural landmarks, students engage deeply with both the technical and social dimensions of water management.

3.        Undergraduate Course: Water in Arid Lands
Our course, Water in Arid Lands: Technology & Innovation in the Middle East, promotes interdisciplinary learning around water sustainability in arid environments.

These initiatives reflect IIP’s broader mission to promote global dialogue, interdisciplinary research, and sustainable solutions in water management.

Looking ahead, we are working to expand the Northwestern-Israel partnership to include collaborations with institutions in Africa. Leading this effort are several distinguished faculty members at Northwestern:

·       Aaron Packman, Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering; Director, Center for Water Research

·       George Wells, Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering

·       Sera Young, Professor of Anthropology; Director of Water Insecurity, Center for Water Research

·       Jennifer Dunn, Professor of Chemical and Biological Engineering; Director, Center for Engineering Sustainability and Resilience; Director of Water Systems, Center for Water Research

Elie Rekhess