April 11, 2024 — The Hebrew University of Jerusalem (HU) extends its heartfelt congratulations to former faculty member Prof. Avi Wigderson for being honored with the esteemed Turing Award—often referred to as the “Nobel Prize of Computing”—for his groundbreaking contributions to the field of theoretical computer science. The Turing Award is presented annually by the Association for Computing Machinery to individuals who have made significant contributions of lasting importance to the field of computer science.

In response to the announcement, Hebrew University President Prof. Asher Cohen expressed pride regarding Prof. Wigderson’s achievements: “We are immensely proud of Prof. Avi Wigderson’s remarkable accomplishment. His dedication to advancing the frontiers of theoretical computer science exemplifies the spirit of innovation and excellence that we cherish at Hebrew University. This prestigious recognition is a testament to his exceptional talent, intellect, and unwavering commitment to pushing the boundaries of knowledge. On behalf of the entire Hebrew University community, I extend our heartfelt congratulations to Prof. Wigderson on this well-deserved honor.”

Prof. Wigderson’s research spans various topics within theoretical computer science, including randomness in computation, interactive proof systems, and the power of algebraic methods in algorithm design. His seminal contributions have profoundly impacted various areas of computer science, inspiring generations of researchers and forever shaping the field. 

Notably, quite a few of his papers that earned him acclaim were written during his tenure at Hebrew University, with several of his momentous papers being collaborative efforts with his former colleagues, HU’s Noam Nisan and Michael Ben-Or. This era marked a dynamic period in theoretical computer science—with HU emerging as a pivotal hub for computer science—largely due to Prof. Wigderson’s contributions and presence. Prof. Wigderson was a cherished Hebrew University faculty member for nearly 15 years. Today, he works as a mathematics professor at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, New Jersey.