New Medical Student Village Opens in the Galilee to Boost Regional Healthcare
A new medical student village featuring 27 housing units is opening at Kibbutz Amiad in the Galilee, aiming to encourage future doctors to live and work in northern Israel.
A new student village dedicated entirely to medical students is set to open at Kibbutz Amiad in the Galilee. This joint initiative brings together the Azrieli Faculty of Medicine of Bar-Ilan University and the Kadima organization for young settlement, as part of a broader effort to strengthen ties between students and the region while encouraging them to settle there permanently after graduation.
The newly established village features 27 housing units tailored for medical students. Alongside accommodation, residents will have access to the kibbutz's shared facilities, including a swimming pool, pub, dining hall, and sports fields. Students are also expected to integrate into local community life and dedicate time to volunteer activities in Amiad and regional medical institutions.
Strategic Location and Community Integration
Located about a 15-minute drive from the Faculty of Medicine, the village is also accessible via public transportation. Its official inauguration is scheduled for October 6.
This project is one of the flagship ventures of the relocation office established by the Faculty of Medicine to assist students moving to the Galilee. Faculty officials emphasize that fostering a deep connection to the area during the study period significantly increases the likelihood that graduates will choose to live and practice medicine in the north.
"This starts with housing, but it certainly doesn't end there. We help students and their spouses find local employment, provide scholarships for those moving north, connect parents with educational institutions, and help them integrate into the Galilee's cultural and leisure life," said Yair Scheinberg, who leads the relocation office.
Future Expansion Plans
The faculty is already exploring the establishment of additional student villages across the Galilee to expand this successful model. Prof. Orly Avni, Dean of the Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, noted that the mission extends beyond academic training.
"We want them to get to know the Galilee, live in it, become part of its communities, and see it as a place where they can build a professional and personal future," Prof. Avni stated, adding that strong regional ties will bolster the northern healthcare system.
Keren Bitcho, northern region manager at Kadima, expressed hope that the Amiad project will serve as a catalyst to attract more young professionals to make their homes in Israel's northern periphery.
