We live in a whole new world of green energy, big data, artificial intelligence and a number of frightening challenges to democracy and world security. But academia, the main engine to help us meet the extraordinary challenges we face, is still in the station, comfortably going over maintenance checks of its systems and shiny parts to ready them for the ride.

Ten years ago, all train systems around the globe introduced fast electric trains. Like those wonderful trains, we need to unleash academia to go faster and further because we really need its output to guide us through these extraordinary times.

The start-up nation we live in is going through a very healthy makeover from start-up to build-up.  No longer are quick new ideas sold to venture capitalists overseas. The new Israeli entrepreneurs build and develop unicorns at home. This has made Israel an empire of cyber, food-tech, agro-tech and so much more. It is time to make the same move in Israeli academia.