Jerusalem, October 10, 2005
Professor Robert J. Aumann
, a professor emeritus at Hebrew University's Center for Rationality and a faculty member for five decades, has been awarded the 2005 Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences for his groundbreaking work in the field of game theory. He will share the honor with economist Thomas C. Schelling of the University of Maryland.
Professor Aumann's achievement marks the fifth time in four years--and the second consecutive year--that a Hebrew University alumnus or faculty member has won a Nobel, which is conisdered the scientific world's highest honor.
Lauding his groundbreaking research, which applies game theory to real-world economic scenarios including price competition and commerce wars, the Nobel Prize committee stated: "Robert Aumann was the first to conduct a full-fledged formal analysis of so-called infinitely repeated games. His research identified exactly what outcomes can be upheld over time in long-run relations."
"I feel great," the scientist said, responding to the news. "This was a total surprise. I'm totally overwhelmed." For the detailed press release and photos click
here.
Professor Aumann joins 2002 Nobel Laureate and Hebrew University graduate and professor Daniel Kahneman as the second Israeli to win the prize in the category of economics. Other alumni Nobelists include Avram Hershko and Aaron Ciechanover, who were awarded the 2004 prize in chemistry, and David J. Gross, a 2004 honoree in physics.
Download the AFHU congratulatory ad which appeared in the Wall Street Journal.
