Israel has no problem showing off how it is considered the Silicon Valley of the Middle East. Just look at the way FDI has remained solid in 2013 and that Fitch has backed the economy.

In recent weeks, Israel’s set up has received the backing from a series of very impressive names.

• Mexico’s Carlos Slim, reputedly the world’s richest individual, is no stranger to Israeli high-tech, having linked up with Mobli. He is now about to depart with US$7.5 million in order to secure 35% of GStat Software Solutions, which provides data-mining services.
• Arnold Schwarzenegger heads Sustania, a Danish-based committee, which aims to recognizes technology that is making a difference to bettering the planet. This year the award was given to TaKaDu. This Israeli software “retrieves and monitors large sets of data from sensors in the water networks and analyzes them in real-time. The service automatically locates and classifies irregularities, such as leaks and pipe bursts, and alerts utilities immediately.” If seepage accounts fro 30% of total consumption, this effort makes a major difference.
• “Given Imaging develops an imaging diagnostic system which enables medical professionals to examine a patient’s gastrointestinal tract through a miniature camera placed in a capsule swallowed by the patient.” Located just outside Haifa, the company has been snapped up this week by Covidien, Ireland, for US$860 million.
• Staying in the medical world, it was announced yesterday that “healthcare technology developer CareFusion Corporation, USA,  will acquire 40% of Israeli infusion pump systems manufacturer Caesarea Medical Electronics Ltd. (CME) for $100 million.”

However, in some ways, the most interesting story comes from the world of academia. The Technion, a relatively small university situated on the outskirts of Haifa, has an impressive record. Dedicated to the pure sciences, it boasts of at least three Nobel Laureates amongst its staff.

Under the leadership of Professor Hossam Haick, an expert in cancer research, the Technion has initiated an on-line course in Arabic in nanotechnology. There were 10,000 inquiries, particularly from countries such as Saudi Arabia and Syria, which would normally refuse to be associated with mentioning Israel in a positive manner. Eventually, 4,000 students registered.

Quoted in the Hebrew press, Haick notes that the scientific information is given away for free. The course is a method to use science in the name of democracy. It breaks down the barriers of the unknown, fear and hatred. I would add that the course shows how open Israeli society is and this is what encourages its technological progress.