The heroic story of one reserve soldier from Tel Aviv University
Critically wounded in the war and now graduating with honors in Engineering
- From intensive care to the honors podium: the story of Alon Kaminer, who recently received his BSc with honors from TAU’s Faculty of Engineering.
On Wednesday, June 10, TAU’s Iby and Aladar Fleischman Faculty of Engineering held its annual graduation ceremony, granting academic degrees to hundreds of graduates. Perhaps more than anyone else, one proud recipient embodies the face of Israeli society and the strength of today’s generation. This is Alon Kaminer, a reservist in the Snapir Unit of the Israeli Navy who, critically wounded in the Iron Swords War, never stopped studying – not even in ICU or during complex rehabilitation in Israel and the US. Now he has completed a BSc with honors in Industrial Engineering and Management.
Alon Kaminer described his incredible journey since the severe injury: “Right after I was injured, I made a conscious decision that no matter what happened, I would keep moving forward. Admittedly, I did not fully understand what that would entail. I remember how, while I was still in hospital, a friend told me that my studies had been canceled to save me the needless expense. Lying in bed, unable to move, I said that this was totally unacceptable to me. I told him to ask for the cancellation to be reversed right away — and that’s exactly what happened. In fact, even after the severe injury, I never stopped studying for a moment. I studied in intensive care, during rehabilitation in the US, and while being fitted with prostheses.”
TAU, on its part, did everything possible to make things easier for Alon. Right from the start, the teaching staff at the Faculty of Engineering rallied to help him complete his studies and ensure that his disability would not become an obstacle — through remote learning during treatments, one-on-one instruction, and full access to the laboratories.
Professor Noam Eliaz, Dean of the Fleischman Faculty of Engineering, said: “Alon’s heroic story is exceptionally moving. Alon is a source of inspiration for us all – a person who chose hope over despair. The fact that he has completed his studies in Industrial Engineering and Management, and is graduating with honors, attests to his extraordinary strength of spirit, determination, and willpower.”
Professor Dan Yamin, Head of TAU’s Industrial Engineering and Management Program, who supported Alon throughout the process, said: “Even before his injury, Alon was an outstanding student. He strove to achieve the maximum, miss nothing, and gain every possible bit of knowledge. After the severe injury, I realized that for him this is a way of life — an uncompromising inner drive to accomplish, to do, and to overcome all life circumstances.
Undoubtedly, Alon’s personal story is also the story of this remarkable generation of warriors. Since becoming head of the program, I have encountered some extremely difficult cases. Many students face inconceivable circumstances, including hundreds of days on reserve duty, injuries and rehabilitation, emotional crises, and financial hardships. At the same time, they study in a most demanding academic environment, at the Faculty of Engineering. These students are achieving the unbelievable, and all of us, staff and lecturers, are amazed by their abilities. On this special occasion I wish to say how very proud we are of our students.”
Alon Kaminer concludes: “I proved to myself, and I hope to others as well, that where there is a will there is a way. A will stronger than steel, combined with a flexible mind that adapts itself to change. Huge thanks go to the School of Industrial & Intelligent Systems Engineering at Tel Aviv University, and to each and every lecturer. Without you, I could not have done it. This is not a mere opinion — it’s a fact! Thank you for believing in me and supporting me. I would also like to mention the other wounded soldiers, my brothers and sisters in the IDF reserves, and those who gave everything and lost their loved ones in the war. Never stop believing, not for a single moment. And yes, if you truly want something, the sky is the limit!”
Link to the video from the graduation ceremony
