Tel Aviv University announces the naming of the "Dan Department of Communication"

TEL AVIV, ISRAEL and TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - July 25, 2016) -

Editors Note: There are two photos associated with this press release.

Prof. Joseph Klafter, President of Tel Aviv University (TAU), announced today the naming of Dan Department of Communications in honour of Aubrey and Marla Dan from Toronto, Canada and their donation of $5 Million USD to the Department.

Prof. Joseph Klafter, noted: "The fast changing communication world of the early 21^st century presents us with unprecedented challenges. Aubrey and Marla's contribution will help us position TAU's Department of Communication as the leader in its field in Israel."

"TAU is delighted to receive this transformative gift from two Canadians who have a deep love of Israel," says Prof. Joseph Klafter. "On behalf of Tel Aviv University, I would like to express our deepest gratitude to Aubrey and Marla Dan for their vision and generosity. This gift will help to accelerate the momentum within the Department and strengthen TAU's position as a leading university for study in communications and public relations."

According to Department Head Dr. Daniel Dor, "The world of communication is undergoing an immense revolution, requiring a fundamental change in both the structure of study programs and research methods. We initiated the change over the past year, by merging with the Koteret School of Journalism, building an internet-age curriculum that incorporates a unique combination of theory and practice, and establishing the Annual Tel Aviv Communication Convention."

"Aubrey and Marla's gift will enable us to take a big step forward, establish the first laboratory of its kind for internet research, build TV and radio studios, continue to upgrade our study programs, offer scholarships for graduate students and post docs, organize large international conferences, invite leading researchers and media personages from around the world, establish an annual award in communication research and more."

Stephen Adler, Executive Director of the Canadian Friends of Tel Aviv University for Ontario and Western Canada commented, "We are grateful for the support of Aubrey and Marla Dan and look forward to working with them and the community to strengthen ties between Canada and Israel's leading university."

"We are pleased to be making an investment into the future of the students to help them to become leaders in journalism, public relations and research, improving the communications in Israel both internally and externally. Being able to bring communication in Israel to a new level of professionalism and integrity, using the latest social media and modern communications technology, will help promote Israeli society and how it continues to evolve and contribute to the world." (Aubrey and Marla Dan)

About Aubrey and Marla Dan

Aubrey Dan is a Canadian businessman as well as a Tony-Award® winning theatre producer (MEMPHIS). He is President of Dancap Private Equity Inc. and Dancap Productions Inc. Marla Dan was most recently the National President of Canadian Hadassah-WIZO (CHW). They are very generous philanthropists, donating millions of dollars, primarily to children, healthcare, women and education charities and other worthy causes in Canada and Israel.

About Tel Aviv University

Tel Aviv University (TAU) - Israel's largest and most comprehensive institution of higher learning - is home to over 30,000 students studying in nine faculties and over 125 schools and departments across the spectrum of sciences, humanities and the arts.

Situated in Israel's cultural, financial and technological capital, TAU shares Tel Aviv's unshakable spirit of openness and innovation - and boasts a campus life as dynamic and pluralistic as the metropolis itself. Tel Aviv the city and Tel Aviv the university are one and the same - a thriving Mediterranean center of diversity and discovery.

Consistently ranked in the top 20 in the world in terms of scientific citations and among the top 100 universities internationally, Tel Aviv University is also Israel's first choice for students, and its graduates are the most sought after by Israeli companies. Global in outlook and impact, TAU advances teaching and research that break down the walls between disciplines, striving to address the twenty-first century's most pressing challenges through bold, interdisciplinary solutions.

About Canadian Friends of Tel Aviv University

Canadian Friends of the Tel Aviv University (CFTAU) provides direct funding support for the educational and research goals of Tel Aviv University, Israel's largest and most comprehensive institution of higher learning, facilitated by enhanced public awareness of the University's achievements and programming through the development of a strong local network of support.

As part of a global network of friends associations CFTAU facilitates academic and research partnerships between Canada and Israel as well as establishing scholarships, supporting research, cultivating student and faculty exchanges and recruiting Canadian students to participate in the TAU International Program.

To view the photos associated with this press release, please visit the following links:

http://www.marketwire.com/library/20160725-Aubrey-and-Marla-Dan.jpg

http://www.marketwire.com/library/20160725-Stephen-Adler-Aubrey-and-Marla-Dan.jpg