ionizing radiation and diagnosed with cancer. In May 2014 Carmi was appointed to the Locker Committee which examined Israel's national defense budget. In 2011 she was appointed chairperson of the Promotion and Representation of Women in Higher Education Institutions Committee (the Carmi Team). In 2015 she headed the task force of the Israeli Medical Association established to study the status of women in medicine. Controversy In November 2017, the search committee for president recommended extending Carmi's tenure as president by two additional years, through May 2020. In response, the academic senate held an extraordinary meeting, in which it declared that the search committee failed and called for the resignation of the chair of the executive committee, Asher Heled. The executive committee decided to approve the extension despite the objections of the academic staff, which resulted in further protest. The State Comptroller of Israel launched an investigation into the selection process. In response, Carmi stated: "What I have in mind is the good of the university, so once a person is elected to head it, I will be the first to congratulate, to vacate my place and to pave the way for anyone found to be suitable - even if it is earlier than the two years that I was asked to fill. In February 2018, the executive committee announced that a new president would be elected by the end of year. Awards and recognition 2019 - Honorary degree, Brandeis University, Massachusetts, USA 2016 - Jewish 100 awardees, The Algemeiner 2015 - One of the BBC's 100 Women 2015 - Honorary Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) 2015 - The Paul Harris Fellow recognition, Rotary 2013 - Honorary degree, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada 2010 - An Honorary Fellowship by the Interdisciplinary Center (IDC) in Herzliya 2009 - An award in excellence from the Israel Ambulatory Pediatric Association (IAPA) 2008 - Women of Distinction Award of the Hadassah Women’s Zionist Organization of America 2003 - Achievement in Medicine Award by the Municipality of Beer-Sheva 2002 - Award for Peace from the Canada International Scientific Exchange Program (CISEPO), to which she served as representative of the Israeli Medical Deans 2001 - Lifetime Achievement Award by the Yated organization for children with Downs Syndrome References External links The Most influential Jewish educators - 2014 Ben-Gurion University's announcement of Prof. Carmi's appointment as President Prof. Rivka Carmi - Queen of the Desert