Maatefet: Support and Assistance System for Immigrant Students
Implemented by the Association for Educational Advancement, Jerusalem, on behalf of the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration
The Ministry’s Student Authority, in collaboration with the Association for Educational Advancement, operates a comprehensive support system (Maatefet) for immigrant students, including Ethiopian-Israeli students. This system supports approximately 6,000 students across various universities and colleges nationwide.
Goals of Maatefet
- Provide optimal conditions for immigrant students to successfully complete their academic studies and earn a degree or certificate.
- Strengthen students’ connection to Israeli society, culture, and identity.
- Empower students by bridging language, cultural, migration, and financial gaps.
- Equip students with tools for social integration during their studies and for future employment.
Services Offered by Maatefet
- Personal and Social Support
- Individual guidance by field staff and student mentors located at academic institutions throughout the country.
- Ongoing contact and availability for addressing students’ needs.
- Academic Support
- Assistance in coping with academic challenges and providing tools for success in exams and coursework.
- Partial funding for academic support services facilitated through educational institutions.
- Social Work Services
- Addressing the unique challenges immigrant students face, such as migration-related stress, identity issues, and academic pressures.
- Personalized support provided by professional social workers.
- Community and Social Activities
- Organized events and educational activities to foster social belonging and peer connections.
- Activities aimed at deepening students’ connection to Israel and its society.
- Shahak: Social and Community Service Program
- Volunteer program encouraging students to actively engage with and contribute to Israeli society.
- Provides exposure to underprivileged populations and promotes a transition from being a recipient of aid to an active contributor.
Through Maatefet, immigrant students are equipped with the tools and support necessary to thrive academically and socially, fostering their integration and contribution to Israeli society.
