Tel Aviv University International students volunteering and support group

Main highlights of the post (for the rushing people 😆) This article discusses a situation involving research scholarships and postdoctoral positions at a university. The SEGEL organization, representing students and researchers, had been advocating for fair scholarship adjustments based on the cost of living. The university administration initially failed to raise scholarships according to the consumer price index (CPI), leading to protests. After negotiations, the university eventually agreed to increase scholarships for the upcoming academic year. However, postdoctoral fellows were excluded from the compensation. The international community raised concerns about this disparity and engaged with university administrators. Despite discussions, the university remained dismissive of the situation and released new scholarship conditions without additional compensation. SEGEL proposed a "forfeit bonus" as an interim solution for postdocs facing financial challenges. This bonus w...

In this post: Forfeit bonus as a CPI compensation to the outgoing postdocs Further initiatives to raise our voices and get some more! A collaboration with the International Office: the Rosh Hashana happy hour! Forfeit bonus as a CPI compensation to the outgoing Post docs (updated 28.08.23) -->The forfeit bonus became available to all of the post doc fellows as a CPI compensation (Plan B)! With this initiative, we want to help the postdocs who are leaving the country before the next academic year and who cannot benefit of the 10% raise of scholarship.  The idea behind is that we find necessary a compensation to these people, since the university management refused to give any CPI compensation to its postdoc fellows, while PhDs and Master students got a little help (the bonus compensation in May). With the increasing prices in the last months, we all lost the game: we had to pay more, with the same money, while the average wage was adjusted (+12.5%) to cope with the inflation in t...

 This noon we met with Dan Peer and Milette Shamir, two recipients of our campaign on the post doc issues. Among the participants, there were 9 people, of which 4 were postdocs. The meeting went smooth, with an adult and welcoming attitude from both sides. After a brief explanation on the conditions of the post docs and the step we took to start this initiative, we highlighted the most important demands and core issues: Compensation for the raise of the CPI for the postdocs, especially for the ones who are leaving soon before the next academic year. Need to raise the basic level (100%) of the scholarship for post docs and also other scholars. Need to have more transparency on the guidelines and the obligation for the postdocs in their scientific project. Clearer point of references, rules, suggestions, advertising for opportunities etc... Guidance on Maternity leaves, sick leaves, vacation leaves References to the body who can represent the working rights and the administrative or ...

ARNONA payers benefit the Resident's card: as you pay ARNONA (the municipality tax), you are actually entitled to obtain the Resident's card, which can give you a series of benefits. Among the many, there is the possibility to have student discount on the apartments; discounts on culture, sports, arts and recreation facilities; https://www.tel-aviv.gov.il/en/Live/ResidentsCard/Pages/default.aspx Apparently, as an International resident in Tel Aviv, it is possible to get  the card by going directly with your (house) contract and passport to the municipality of Tel Aviv. Info on TAXATION in Israel --> check this Link ! In case ever someone of you needs a certificate for fiscal residence in israel : go to the 20th floor in the ministry of finance/tax (misrad hamisim) and ask for the form "Biksha lekabalat ishur toshavut lzorkhei mas"  בקשה לקבלת תושבות לצורכי מס - יחיד. The same form can be sent in return by mail to the ministry (they will tell you which mail) This ...

 From the SEGEL TRFO organization (mail sent on 02.08.23) Hello,   At the end of June this year the organization sent a demand to the Director General of the University to increase scholarships by 12.5% in the upcoming academic year for all recipients, except postdoctoral fellows for whom we demanded more. This, in accordance with the increase of the average salary between 2021-2023, and taking into account that 2021 was the last year in which scholarships were updated according to the Consumer Price Index, which continues to rise. For Postdoctoral fellows who have not received any compensation, and whose scholarships remained stagnant for several years, the organization demanded a double raise of 25% as well as raising of the minimal scholarships level to 200% (which is currently 100% for Israeli postdocs and 150% for international postdocs). A full postdoctoral scholarship for researchers with a PhD currently a...