“If someone told me at the beginning of the way that I’d be the one standing here today, speaking at the graduation ceremony, I would have probably smiled and said: ‘No way.’ The road to this point was anything but obvious, but it was full of faith, hard work, formative experiences and rare opportunities… I was born and raised in Dabburiya village in the Lower Galilee, in the tradition of working the land, striving for education and nurturing natural curiosity. My dear grandmother, Hamda – the light of my eyes, may Allah prolong her days – although she never learned to read or write, she always encouraged us, her children and grandchildren, to study, aim high and believe in ourselves. Between visits to the sheep pen by her side and chemistry lessons at a Jerusalem high school, the Israel Arts and Sciences Academy, the idea came to me that science can change lives, spark revolutions and perhaps even heal the world. And if you enjoy the journey too? Then you’ve truly got the best of all worlds.”
With these personal words Dr. Dima Azaiza-Dabbah opened the traditional graduates’ address at the Weizmann School of Science’s 2025 ceremony for the conferment of PhD and MSc degrees, which took place yesterday at the Weizmann campus in Rehovot. A total of 172 alumnae and 149 alumni completed their studies this year, earning 118 PhDs and 203 MSc degrees. Despite the state of war lasting already more than 600 days, among this year’s cloak wearers and mortarboard throwers were 34 international research students – more than 10 percent of all 2025 graduates.
“I came to the Weizmann Institute of Science upon a sincere recommendation of someone who believed in me even before I dared to believe in myself,” said Azaiza-Dabbah, who conducted her doctoral research under the guidance of Prof. Ronny Neumann of the Molecular Chemistry and Materials Science Department. “My first meeting at the institute was with my advisor. It was a defining moment, in which I realized, for the first time, that I belong to this world of research, creativity and innovation… Alongside his support, I was also fortunate to receive encouragement and belief from other researchers, which over the years strengthened my sense that I can — and, most importantly, that I belong. The institute gave me not only scientific knowledge of the highest quality, but also tools, confidence and vision. It formed me as a researcher, as a woman and as a mother… Here, I found an intellectually rich environment at an international level; here, I found a community of dialogue, innovation and excellence – here, I found a place where you are seen as a human being, regardless of where you come from, and that’s the key to everything…”
Also speaking on behalf of the graduates was Matan Vidavski, who was an MSc student in Prof. Naama Barkai’s lab in the Molecular Genetics Department. Vidavski’s studies were interrupted with the outbreak of the war, when he was called up for reserve duty. He served the country for hundreds of days but returned to the lab at every opportunity, determined to complete his thesis. “We sit together tonight not as degree recipients, but as witnesses. Witnesses to what a person can achieve when driven by curiosity,” Vidavski said. “I am hardly the one to talk about the obstacles we have faced in recent years, as individuals and as a people. Among us sit students for whom a contagious virus was part of their degree – not only inside a test tube; among us sit students who lost loved ones in the war; those who spent a significant part of the past few years in uniform – and those who are still waiting to return home…”
Second class since the outbreak of the war
The class of 2025 is the second one to graduate since war broke out on October 7, 2023. This war left its mark on each person present and was prominently featured in the remarks of the speakers at the ceremony. Weizmann Institute President Prof. Alon Chen addressed not only the war-related challenges in his remarks, but also the value of science in shaping a better future and the potential of the new graduates to advance this endeavor:
“”Science is absolutely essential today, amidst all the challenges and uncertainties, perhaps now more than ever”
“On the backdrop of the ongoing war and the terrible reality of the hostages still in Gaza, your passionate pursuit of scientific knowledge is especially noteworthy. That is because science is a source of resilience for Israel and for the world; a vehicle for global collaboration and partnership; and a driver of progress for all humanity. Science isn’t merely a means to an end – a tool by which to find specific solutions and technologies – but also a process that accompanies all of mankind in its ongoing quest for betterment and prosperity. Thus science is absolutely essential today, amidst all the challenges and uncertainties, perhaps now more than ever.”
In his address on behalf of Weizmann researchers, Scientific Council’s Chair Prof. Nir Davidson also emphasized the hardships of the moment and called for holding on to hope: “It’s been a difficult year… We are all trying to cope, to survive, to find meaning and hope for a better future. Dear graduates, you are the hope.”
“You are our competitive edge”
The guest of honor at this year’s ceremony was Dr. Orna Berry, a computer scientist, entrepreneur, high-tech pioneer and the first woman to serve as Israel’s Chief Scientist. In her address, Berry stressed that the Weizmann Institute’s graduates are a key part of “Israel’s competitive edge,” and that they are destined to chart the course of the country and its standing in the world: “The Weizmann Institute of Science, as one of the world’s leading scientific research institutions, is a vital pillar of Israel’s strength. Israel’s academia, and this distinguished institution in particular, has been and continues to be a central engine driving Israeli creativity and innovation, which has gained global recognition… Science and technology are critical levers for sustainable economic growth, robust social resilience and national security… Thanks to you, and to the achievements of generations of leading researchers and educators in Israel over the past century, the country’s scientific and technological capabilities have sparked international interest… In my view – and I hope in yours as well – this is a matter of existential importance.”
Just before the traditional tossing of the mortarboards, the Dean of the Weizmann School of Science, Prof. Gilad Perez, now concluding his sixth and final year in this post, closed the ceremony with an urgent appeal: “Before I finish, I want to say that this ceremony is not complete, and we will not rest until all of our brothers and sisters return from captivity!”
