This year marks the 100th anniversary of the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology and the 10th founding anniversary of Guangdong Technion – Israel Institute of Technology (GTIIT). The light of innovation continues to shine vibrantly on the fertile soil of the East, enduring and renewing through time.

"This is nothing short of a miracle. From a single building with just 16 male students and one female student, we have grown into a world-renowned university, home to Nobel laureates, with international campuses in New York and China." Technion President Prof. Uri Sivan said.

Today, this miracle lives on at GTIIT. The Technion in Israel recently celebrated its centennial anniversary, together with Technion leaders, faculty, students, industry leaders and international friends. Its China Campus GTIIT was commended in different occasions by the Technion management and Board leaders, and in particular by the Board of Governors academic committee which is the main entity to discuss the achievements of GTIIT, both in teaching and research.

Prof. Eli Aljadeff, Acting Vice Chancellor of GTIIT, remarked with emotion during the anniversary celebration. "GTIIT is going through something similar as Technion. Although there are many challenges, GTIIT also has dreamers, people with a strong commitment to overcoming challenges." The Technion in Haifa is globally renowned as an "engine" of Israel's innovation ecosystem. The essence of its educational philosophy – its focus on critical thinking, hands-on research experience, and cultivating an entrepreneurial mindset – is powerfully transferable at GTIIT.

Through a decade of dedication, GTIIT has delivered outstanding achievements with tangible results—over 80% of its graduates have advanced to the world's top universities for further studies, and its alumni network spans renowned global enterprises and research institutions.

"Our dream is becoming a reality. You are the success story of GTIIT." Standing at the podium of the Commencement for GTIIT Graduates 2025, Prof. Peretz Lavie, the founding Chairman of GTIIT's Board and former President of Technion, gazed at the energetic graduates with heartfelt pride.

He recalled, "We all dreamed of creating something unique, something powerful that would bridge two ancient people across mountains, deserts, seas, and oceans. Countless conversations and discussions, all conducted with mutual respect and fueled by a common commitment and vision to build an institute for the betterment of the two people and humanity. These culminated in the birth of this very institution."

As one of GTIIT's founding leaders, Lavie has witnessed the transformation of this land—from an empty plot in July 2013 to the modern campuses of the North and South today; from a pioneering team to a thriving community of 126 faculty members and over 1,700 students, sending talented alumni to pursue further studies at world-leading institutions or showcase their skills in prestigious corporations. "GTIIT is not only a cornerstone for advancing higher education across Shantou, Eastern Guangdong, and beyond. It is also a vital bridge for deepening Sino-Israeli cooperation in science, technology, education, and culture."

In this special year, as the Technion celebrates its centenary and GTIIT marks its 10th founding anniversary, the "GTIIT Ant" sculpture was specially donated by GTIIT and unveiled on the Technion campus, becoming an eternal symbol of the bond between the two universities. The sculpture not only embodies GTIIT's diligent and united spirit of education, but also carries the shared vision of both universities to advance hand in hand into the next chapter.

Text/Photos: GTIIT News & Public Affairs