Shenkar College

Shenkar College
Name	Shenkar College of Engineering, Design and Art
Established	1970
Type	Public college
City	Ramat Gan
Country	Israel

Shenkar College. Shenkar College of Engineering, Design and Art is an Israeli higher education institution located in Ramat Gan that offers multidisciplinary programs in engineering, design, and textile studies. It operates within the context of Israeli industry and academic networks, engaging with national institutions and international partners to deliver applied research and professional training. The college maintains relationships with cultural organizations, technology firms, and regulatory bodies to support student projects and faculty research.

History

Shenkar College traces roots to initiatives in textile education and technical training in Israel during the late 20th century, interacting with institutions such as Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, Tel Aviv University, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design, and WIZO Haifa District in collaborative programs. Its development was influenced by national industrial shifts involving companies like Israel Aircraft Industries, Nesher Cement Works, Poli-Tape, Adams Industries (Israel), and by policies shaped in part by ministries such as the Ministry of Economy and Industry (Israel), Ministry of Science and Technology (Israel), and municipal authorities of Ramat Gan. Over decades Shenkar engaged with international partners including Royal College of Art, Parsons School of Design, Delft University of Technology, Hochschule für Technik und Wirtschaft Berlin, and Hong Kong Polytechnic University to expand curricula and exchange programs. The institution adapted to market changes driven by firms like Intel Israel, Check Point Software Technologies, and Elbit Systems while responding to cultural shifts reflected in exhibitions at Tel Aviv Museum of Art and collaborations with galleries such as Hezi Cohen Gallery.

Academics and Programs

Academic offerings include undergraduate and graduate degrees in fields connected to companies and institutions like Philips Israel, Siemens Israel, IBM Israel, Microsoft Israel Research, HTC (company), and Broadcom Israel. Programs emphasize studio practice and laboratory instruction with coursework that references standards from bodies such as Standards Institute of Israel and methodologies present at MIT Media Lab and Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Curricula draw on traditions from studios and workshops associated with Royal College of Art, School of the Art Institute of Chicago, California Institute of the Arts, and technical modules akin to those at ETH Zurich. Departments collaborate with cultural institutions like Israel Museum, Habima Theatre, Israeli Opera, and fashion houses influenced by designers linked to Paris Fashion Week, Milan Fashion Week, and New York Fashion Week. Specializations interact with sectors represented by firms such as Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, Strauss Group, and Carmel Olefins for applied projects.

Campus and Facilities

The campus in Ramat Gan hosts studios, labs, and workshops outfitted to industry standards used by corporations such as Applied Materials, ASM International, and Intel Corporation. Facilities include textile and dyeing labs reflecting practice in companies like Kay Designs, digital fabrication labs resembling those at Fab Lab Network, and prototyping centers aligned with specifications from ISO. Exhibition spaces have hosted shows in partnership with organizations like Design Week Tel Aviv and media collaborations with outlets such as Haaretz, The Jerusalem Post, The Marker, and Globes (newspaper). Student services coordinate internships and placements with local municipalities including Tel Aviv-Yafo Municipality and regional enterprises like Ayalon Highways.

Research and Industry Partnerships

Research initiatives have connected faculty to industrial partners such as Elbit Systems, Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, Orbotech, Mellanox Technologies, SolarEdge Technologies, and Given Imaging for projects spanning materials science, wearable technologies, and smart textiles. Collaboration networks extend to research centers and foundations like Israel Innovation Authority, The Porter School of Environmental Studies, Weizmann Institute of Science, Bar-Ilan University, and Haifa University for interdisciplinary grants. Sponsored projects and incubator activities link to startup ecosystems including Start-Up Nation Central, JVP (Jerusalem Venture Partners), OurCrowd, and accelerators such as Yozma-style funds. Partnerships with museums, fashion platforms, and technology conferences include DLD (conference), Cannes Lions, and regional trade events coordinated by organizations like Israel Export Institute.

Student Life and Organizations

Student life features clubs, student unions, and creative collectives that collaborate with cultural venues such as Suzanne Dellal Center, Mishkan LeOmanut, and community groups in Ramat Gan. Extracurricular activities include design workshops, hackathons, and competitions that often engage sponsors from Google Israel, Facebook Israel (Meta Platforms) , Apple Inc., and telecommunications providers like Cellcom (Israel) and Pelephone. Student governance interacts with national student bodies including National Union of Israeli Students and event programming coordinates with festivals such as Tel Aviv Fashion Week and Jerusalem Design Week. Career services connect alumni to employers such as Amdocs, Fiverr, Wix.com, Playtika, and multinational consultancies including McKinsey & Company, Deloitte (Israel), PwC Israel, and Ernst & Young Israel.

Notable Alumni and Faculty

Alumni and faculty have gone on to roles in industry, culture, and academia, affiliating with organizations and platforms like Haaretz, The Marker, Design Museum Holon, Channel 2 (Israel), Channel 10 (Israel), BBC, Reuters, and The New York Times. Graduates have joined companies and studios such as Castro (clothing), Fox Fashion Agency, Salit Group, Idan Cohen (designer), Alon Livne, and technology firms including Wix.com, Mobileye, Intel, and Taboola. Faculty have participated in research and exhibition collaborations with institutions like Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design, Tel Aviv University, Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Royal College of Art, and museums including Tel Aviv Museum of Art and Israel Museum. Awards and recognitions connected to alumni and staff reference events such as Israel Design Awards, D&AD Awards, Red Dot Design Award, Compasso d'Oro, and participation in biennales such as Venice Biennale and Milan Triennial.

Category:Higher education in Israel