Israel’s Council for Higher Education (CHE) has approved the establishment of two new medical schools at the Weizmann Institute of Science and the University of Haifa. The decision aims to address the severe shortage of doctors and reduce the number of Israelis studying medicine abroad.
The Weizmann Institute of Science’s new medical school, named after Miriam and Aaron Gutwirth, will open in October 2025. It will offer an MD-PhD program, admitting up to 42 Israeli students each year, all of whom will receive full scholarships for tuition and living expenses. The University of Haifa will enroll 56 students in its medical program.
The Weizmann Institute's program will stress hands-on training and research over traditional lectures. Students will gain expertise not only in life sciences but also in physics, chemistry, mathematics and computer science. Clinical training will take place at leading hospitals, including Sheba Medical Center, Sourasky Medical Center - Ichilov hospital, Rambam Health Care Campus and Assuta Medical Center in Ashdod.
“We’re training the next generation of physician-scientists, equipping them to solve medical challenges through research and innovation,” said Weizmann Institute President Professor Alon Chen. “This program will significantly contribute to the advancement of personalized medicine in Israel.”
Professor Gad Segal, Sheba Medical Center’s head of medical education, called the move "a historic step that corrects a long-standing issue where many young Israelis were forced to study medicine abroad."
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Education Minister and CHE Chairman Yoav Kisch said, “This is a landmark moment for Israel’s higher education and health care system. Addressing the doctor shortage has been a national priority since I took office.”
Professor Yossi Makori, head of the Planning and Budgeting Committee, added, “These new medical schools are a strategic investment that will strengthen Israel’s medical infrastructure, enhance research excellence and reduce dependence on foreign medical programs.”
The University of Haifa’s medical school, named after Herta and Paul Amir, will open next year in partnership with Clalit Health Services and Carmel Medical Center, with Professor Haim Bitterman as dean. The program will run for six years with standard university tuition fees.
Haifa University President Professor Gur Alroey stressed the importance of establishing a medical school in northern Israel. “The recent attacks on Haifa and the north have highlighted the urgent need to strengthen health care in this region,” he said.
Haifa’s medical program will integrate advanced technologies, including AI and telemedicine and focus on community health and interdisciplinary collaboration. A state-of-the-art simulation center will offer hands-on training with virtual reality and real-world medical scenarios.
The CHE has also approved a 20% increase in medical school admissions, contingent on available clinical training capacity. This expansion aims to further address the national doctor shortage and enhance Israel’s position in global medical research.