Photo: Open University.

Hagit Messer Yaron

President, The Open University of Israel

Almost fifty thousand students study at The Open University of Israel, more than any of Israel’s other seven universities. Yaron, as the head of this unique school, runs an institution that offers higher education to those who otherwise may not have it. And why is that? Because OUI has no prerequisites—pretty much anyone is accepted. And just as importantly, in a country where students have to serve in the military, OUI is the only higher education institution that active duty Israeli soldiers can attend independently. More than 600 are enrolled in at least one course.