The University of Haifa was founded in 1963 by Haifa mayor
Abba Hushi, to operate under the academic auspices of the
Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Haifa University is located on
Mount Carmel. In 1972, the University of Haifa declared its independence and became the sixth academic institution in Israel and the fourth university. About 18,100
undergraduate and
graduate students study in the university a wide variety of topics, specializing in
social sciences,
humanities,
law and
education. The university is broadly divided into six
faculties: Humanities, Social Sciences, Law, Science and Science Education, Social Welfare and Health Studies, and Education. There is also the Graduate School of Management, The Leon H. Charney School of Marine Sciences and the Continuing Education and Extension Studies, as well as an international school offering courses in English. Beyond the objective of a first-rate higher education, the University of Haifa aims to provide equal educational opportunities to all, and in particular to encourage mutual understanding and cooperation between the
Jewish and
Arab populations on and off campus. The University of Haifa is home to the
Hecht Museum of
archaeology and art, several research centers and institutes, including the Evolution Institute, Center for the Study of the Information Society, Center for the Study of National Security, Tourism Research Center, and more. The university signed a memorandum of understanding with the Bahraini King Hamad Global Centre for Peaceful Coexistence to promote coexistence between Jews and Arabs. ==Research centers==