Computer science Professor Zvi Galil, an Israeli who has lived in New York for the past 24 years, is the leading candidate for the presidency of Tel Aviv University, according to a senior source at the university.

The source told Haaretz that the search committee has agreed almost unanimously to submit Galil as the sole candidate for the university executive council's vote.

Businessman Dov Lautman, who chairs both the search committee and the executive council, responded, "The committee will decide by the end of the week and announce its candidate. There are many worthy candidates, and we will choose the most worthy."

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On November 8, the executive council will select or reject the candidate. It is expected to adopt the search committee's recommendation.

Galil met individually with steering committee members in New York and was interviewed by the committee last week.

Galil began his academic career at Tel Aviv University, teaching both there and at Columbia University starting in 1982. In 1995, when he was appointed dean of Columbia's School of Engineering and Applied Science, he left Tel Aviv University.

Galil was an outstanding fundraiser for Columbia. His achievements included the $26 million donation from Chinese businessman Charles Wei-Hsun Fu, after whom the school is now named.

In academic circles Saturday, there was some criticism of Galil's expected appointment - if he indeed receives the position, the entire university administration will be comprised of life sciences professionals, which some fear could result in humanities being shunted aside.

Galil was unavailable to comment for this report.