Dr Nissim Levy used to search for E.T - then his career took off

Dr Nissim Levy once had a promising career in science.

A chemistry specialist, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Technion graduate worked as a senior researcher for NASA.

There, he worked in the department for the Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence, where he became an expert on "life in the universe and life here".

But in his early-30s he decided to pack it all in to pursue a career in business.

He says: "I love education, I'm doctor in chemistry and I almost became a professor, but I decided to make money.

"I knew that if I remained in science it would be interesting, but I would never make money.

"I had to decide whether to remain an American government employee or go back to Israel and start some kind of business life. It was a risky decision, but I had the drive.

"I still read many scientific books. I miss it and am trying to keep up; but now I have a different stimulation."

Now living in London, Levy, a 66-year-old father of three, is confident that the risk paid off.

And it was never just about money. He's used his new standing to support some of the most vulnerable people in Israel, backing programmes led by Chabad to Yad Hayeled, which supports vulnerable youth.

And now the philanthropist is also sponsoring, alongside the JC, the Wizo Commitment Awards.

I met Levy at his high-rise office in Marble Arch, west London, which has a spectacular view that overlooks Park Lane and tourists making their way to Winter Wonderland.

Early into the interview, his mobile rings. Israeli in his manner, he takes the call by the window, making animated hand gestures as he shouts down the phone in Hebrew. Then, he returns.

"The poverty is shocking in Israel," he says. "Twenty-five per cent of the children go hungry to bed every night; even the middle-class find it difficult to make ends meet. It's awful. I don't understand why there is not a revolution; there should be a revolution."

But that has not affected his plans to make AliyaH next year. "I love Israel. I hate the politics and I hate the politicians," he says. "I really hope the Labour Party will win. If the right wing parties win again, it will be a disaster."

Now a top businessman, he has "hundreds of employees – depending on how you look at it" and invests millions in high-tech start-ups in both Israel and Silicon Valley in America.

"It looks like from the day I was born, I was meant to be in commerce," he says. "I never borrow money, that's how I sleep at night. Right now if all the businesses go bankrupt — I'll not suffer at all. Nothing will happen."

What's more, he is now dedicated to making a success of his latest business venture: a university.

Together with a Serbian business partner, he's invested more than £12 million on setting up a university in Marbella; the Spanish city known for attracting high-flyers and party-goers from Saudi royals to the cast of The Only Way is Essex.

The Marbella International University Centre, which he claims is in exchange programme talks with UK universities, including Durham and the Manchester Business School, will take its first tranche of 70 international students this year — each paying a fee of £15,000 per year.

I wonder whether his passion for the venture (he's bought a Spanish villa so he can monitor it) stems from his scientific background?

"No," he says, adamantly. "Even though I like education, this started as a pure investment. I did due diligence and saw that it was one of the best investments possible. It's fantastic, especially if the education is good, for Arab and European countries because Marbella is a brand name.

"It's going to do what other universities do. It's not at the same level as Oxford or Cambridge, but we'll get there."

Will it look to excel in science? "No. There's no demand for science or engineering," he adds, pointing to its business and communication courses. "In today's world, people only understand business, making money, trading money and going into banking."

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