Update - September 2007 New IAF Technological College Begins First Full Year in New Campus September 6 - We salute the 1,060 cadets (of whom 360 are new recruits to the school) who began the new school year in grades 9-14, at the brand-new campus in Be'er Sheva, built by Rashi in partnership with the government, a private donor abroad and the Merage Israel Foundation. In this new custom-built campus, the student body has grown from 800 last year.

Speech by Mr. Hubert Leven, President of Sacta-Rashi Foundation, at the dedication of the new campus, November 2006

Goal To expand the current facilities of the Israel Air Force (IAF) Technological College in Be'er Sheva so that more young people from the south can attain a quality technical education alongside full high-school matriculation, enlist as technicians in the IAF, and subsequently compete in the adult workforce with skills and training.

Overview The IAF Technological College aims to provide youngsters of high-school and post-high-school age with a first-rate technological and general education that enables them, upon graduation, to become a part of the IAF's technical support team. In recent years there has been increased interest among teenagers - mainly from the southern region - to enroll in the school. Less than half of those who wish to attend are accepted at present. This fact, added to the IAF's constant need for top-quality technicians and engineers, makes the expansion of the school's physical facilities a top priority. Once completed, the new school will be able to accept 1,600 students, nearly twice the current number. The educational campus will also include three classroom buildings, first-class technological labs, a modern resource center, sports hall, dining room and administration facilities. In these new facilities, the school will be able to develop advanced fields of training, thereby offering graduates opportunities to integrate into the high-tech job market.

Sacta-Rashi's Involvement • Part of construction costs • Fundraising from additional donors • Full responsibility for project management and construction

Partners Ministry of Education Ministry of Defense Merage Foundation Private donor