Since its establishment in 1954, the Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Engineering at the Technion has set as its goal to be the central professional body that will contribute to shaping the food and biotechnology industries in Israel, through professional training that integrates scientific and engineering aspects required by industry, and through conducting research at the forefront of science.
Throughout all its years, the Faculty has successfully met these missions and has trained thousands of graduates who have held and continue to hold senior key positions, and who have made a decisive contribution to the development of the food and biotechnology industries.
In recent years, we have witnessed the development of the biotechnology and food industries in Israel and worldwide, and this is reflected both in the activities of other technological research universities such as the Technion and in various industries. In order to keep pace with the rapid development and to successfully address new challenges, the Faculty has set as its vision to strengthen its position as a leader in its field in Israel and to position itself among the best in the world, both in basic research and in applied research, and to train outstanding engineers and researchers who will lead the biotech and food industries.
The Faculty offers a unique study program that combines engineering technological fields with fields in the natural and life sciences, particularly biotechnology. The curriculum provides engineers with broad fundamental knowledge in the fields of chemistry, biology, physics, engineering, and environmental sciences, and in this way prepares graduates for work in the dynamic food industry, which is undergoing many changes due to the high involvement of large international corporations, and in the knowledge-intensive biotechnology industry. In this way, diverse employment opportunities are ensured for the Faculty’s graduates.
Each year, out of hundreds of candidates, approximately 100 new students are admitted to the Faculty, enjoying a vibrant academic environment, spacious classrooms and teaching laboratories equipped with the best modern instrumentation. To date, approximately 1,700 graduates have completed their studies at the Faculty and are employed in a variety of roles in different industries, including: the biotechnology industry, the food industry, the pharmaceutical industry, cosmetics, standards institutes, governmental institutions related to supervision of the food industry, and more.
The research conducted at the Faculty opens new horizons for students and enables them to integrate into promising research fields and gain experience working with sophisticated equipment, among the most advanced in the scientific world. Among the research conducted at the Faculty are: controlled release systems for cancer therapy and cell therapy, molecular microbiology, gene regulation in bacteria, drug development and drug delivery systems, development of antibacterial materials, food microbiology, development of nature-inspired materials for medical applications, development of “smart” food packaging materials, synthetic biology, molecular nutrition, and more.
