Breakthrough Technologies: Shaping the Future

In this course, you’ll explore how breakthrough technologies might impact our lives and societies in the next 5-15 years. You’ll meet with experts who have created disruptive technologies and learn about the latest breakthroughs developed in Israel. This course is offered as part of the six-credit InnovNation Program.

This course will take you behind the scenes on visits to cutting-edge research institutes and Israel’s top tech companies. Meet with groundbreaking researchers, leading executives, and industry experts. Together, we’ll investigate the latest developments in:

• Technology (including internet and artificial intelligence)
• Agriculture and food
• Water and energy
• Materials and production
• Transportation
• Medicine and healthcare
• Security
  
  

Course Components 

• Meetings with scientists, researchers, executives, and R&D staff through guest lectures and visits to high-tech companies and research centers
• Report on one of the breakthrough technologies studied during the course
• Final term paper
  
  

Professionals who are not interested in the academic credit may opt out of submitting the final paper and receive an audit grade (Active Participation grade) but must still attend all classes and field trips, and complete any assignment throughout the course. This option is also possible for students who are not interested in academic credit.

View the syllabus

For more information, see the brochure or sign up for updates with the InnovNation program.

Scroll down for the July summer schedule to see which summer courses can be combined with the Breakthrough Technologies InnovNation program course.

You’ll be invited to participate in a wide array of trips, tours, and activities offered by the Office of Student Life. From a tour of the Old City to a trip to the Dead Sea to checking out the local festivals, you’ll build your own unique impressions and memories of Jerusalem and Israel.

While residing in HebrewU dormitories with other international and Israeli students, you’ll have a chance to form new friendships and get involved in campus life. A team of multilingual Israeli students, called madrichim, is also there to help you adjust to your new surroundings and give you tips on things to do. Learn more about student life at HebrewU.

“The course gave me deeper insights into emerging technologies and also new business opportunities for cooperation between Dutch and Israeli businesses… The CEO and the professors we have met were leading figures in their area of expertise. It is quite amazing to achieve this high of a standard for an experimental course.”
Job Rosenhart
Senior Advisor, Dutch Industry Ministry of Economic Affairs, The Netherlands

“The course has allowed us a glimpse into the greatness being built in and done in Israel, a sneak peak of what is to come… The can-do attitude of the Israeli nation and the absolute and fearless determination to make a success of your start-up is something that I feel very few people have managed to instill in many South African entrepreneurs and which I will take as a core lesson from this course.”
Marrelie Le Roux
M.B.A., GIBS – University of Pretoria, South Africa

“InnovNation is such an amazing program. For the whole month, I have immersed myself in the world of entrepreneurship and technologies. By visiting numerous companies and meeting with various Israeli experts, I have gained a broad view of how Israeli companies grow in the global market. I have also seen the significant role of technologies in shaping our life. This program is indeed one of the most unforgettable experiences in my life.”
Yaqing Tang
Entrepreneur & B.Sc., The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, China

Read more about the student learning experience, and check out our photo gallery on Facebook.

Summer 2025

 Apply by: April 15, 2025
 Arrive on campus: June 30, 2025
 Program length: Four weeks

Application fee: US$ 120
Tuition fee:US$ 2,000**
Paid to RIS: US$ 342
Paid to IBH: US$ 1,658**
Housing: US$ 850

*Depending on availability
**Subject to Min exchange rate of 3.3 USD to NIS

The InnovNation program is offered in collaboration with Israel Beyond the Headlines (IBH).

Tuition, for both Summer and Winter Sessions, is to be paid in two separate payments to Rothberg International School and IBH.

Learn more about fees, cost of living, and paying for the program.

For more information on Israel Beyond the Headlines’ method and terms of payment, please see here. For Rothberg International School financial information, see here.

Scholarships

A limited number of scholarships based on demonstrated need or merit are available. 

Learn also about  financial aid offered by IBH.

A 10% discount on the tuition fee for one of the InnovNation summer program courses is offered by IBH to students who complete their application by February 16, 2025, and who complete payment by March 16, 2025. Students who apply for both courses of the InnovNation program will receive the 10% discount on one of the courses only.

This course is open to undergraduate and graduate students, as well as to mature learners with an academic background. You must be currently registered at or have been accepted to a recognized college or university or have successfully completed at least one year of study at an accredited institution of higher education. English-language fluency is also required.