Peretz Lavie served as the president of the Technion from 2009 to October 2019. Lavie is a psychologist, a researcher of the physiology and pathology of sleep. When elected for a third term Lavie said: “I consider the position of president of the Technion to be the most important mission in my academic life. I will continue to work with all my might for the development and prosperity of the magnificent institution that we are all so proud of.” During Prof. Lavie’s tenure, the Technion achieved impressive achievements, chief among them the recruitment of over 200 new faculty members. “Excellent faculty members are the most important asset of any university,” said Prof. Lavie, “and the quality of the Technion and its status in the future will be determined first and foremost by the quality of its faculty members.” Since assuming the position of president, Prof. Lavie has worked to change the academic atmosphere at the Technion and its image as a rigid institution that does not sufficiently consider its students. While improving teaching, the Technion also invests heavily in the development of the infrastructure that serves the students on campus. The development boom includes the construction of dormitories, classrooms, study halls and designated spaces for social, cultural and sports activities. In 2006, Prof. Lavie won the EMET Prize.