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The College of Judea and Samaria was founded in 1982 as a regional branch of Bar Ilan University. Originally located in the settlement of Kedumim, it was moved to Ariel when an expansion was necessary. The association with Bar Ilan University lapsed in the 2004-2005 academic year due to the college administration's decision to become independent and pursue the status of 'university'.
University status In 2005, the Israeli government decided to allow the college to attain university status. On one hand, this was viewed as a political decision to appease the Israeli right-wing before the implementation of the disengagement, though, on the other hand, the high quantity and quality of academic research by the academic staff could not be ignored. The reaction from the academic community in Israel was not openly receptive, partly because of its location over the Green Line, as well as allowing a new institution into the fold. The change of status was not immediate since the decision only allowed the college to apply for revision by the Council for Higher Education in Israel(המועצה להשכלה גבוהה) which must ultimately approve the change. University status is an issue of prestige, increased government funding, as well as the ability to issue doctorate degrees. In July 2006, the Council for Higher Education in Israel rejected the idea (which was also paired with an initiative by Shimon Peres to unite several regional colleges in the Galilee into one umbrella university). The council accepted the conclusion of a committee it had itself set up that simply decided that no new university would be established in Israel in the next five years. The committee did not discuss, or perhaps avoided the discussion of the merits or shortcomings of the two initiatives. Subsequently, criticism was directed at the Council for ignoring the decision of the government.* Faculties and Departments Departments marked with a star " Research Institutes
Enrollment Current enrollment is 8,500 students, consisting of both Jewish and Arab (Israeli and Palestinian) students. See also List of universities and colleges in Israel | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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