Views on the reform of the educational system, the necessity of youth engagement in the country’s ongoing processes, and the importance of human capital development were discussed by Georgian Prime Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze during today’s meeting with Georgian students studying in New York.

The students familiarized themselves with the views of the Head of Government on the changes planned at every stage of the system of education, involving the introduction of innovative approaches.

The Prime Minister underlined the importance of the maximal engagement of youth, emphasizing that he welcomes their every idea and active participation in every process related to the reform’s successful implementation and the country’s development.

According to Mamuka Bakhtadze, the Government’s goal is to create in the country an environment enabling youth to make full use of their potential and abilities.  The meeting with the Prime Minister was attended by 17 bachelor’s and master’s degree program students, including through financing from the International Education Center of Georgia.

Prime Minister's Press Office  

The University City equipped with the largest, state-of-the-arts infrastructure and the newest laboratories in the Caucasus region will be built in Kutaisi. International Charity Foundation “Kartu” will be actively involved in implementation of the program of the international educational center in Georgia as well as in support of the Kutaisi University Complex and other projects. Vice Prime Minister of Georgia, the Minister of Education and Science Aleksandre Jejelava and the Director of the Charity Foundation “Kartu” - Nikoloz Chkhetiani signed the memorandum today.

The priority objective of the education system is to increase the quality of higher education, offering the higher education complying with the labor market demands, to promote internationalization of higher education and to support the lifelong continuous education system. In the field of science development, commercialization of research products and development of innovations, strengthening of international cooperation in research activities, popularization of science in Georgia and promoting of youth involvement are also important. Accordingly, Kutaisi University Complex will become the best mean for achievement and implementation of these objectives and tasks.

The specialists of the International Technical University of Munich (TUM International) will develop the Kutaisi University Complex development plan, academic and research programs together with the Georgian side. Deputy Minister of Education and Science of Georgia - Teimuraz Murgulia and Managing Director of International Technical University of Munich - Daniel Gottschald signed the relevant document today.

According to the agreement, the TUM International Quality Management Standards will be applied in development of Kutaisi University study and research programs as well as in the process of selection of management, scientific and administrative staff. The joint organizational group will cooperate at all stages of development of Kutaisi University and the German specialists will provide consultations to Georgian architects in the process of design works of the University infrastructures.

The agreement also envisages establishment of the Innovation Center, Clusters Hub and Applied Research Centre in Kutaisi University and seeking of potential business partners. The concept will be developed jointly for transfer of knowledge and development of the innovation centers, which will facilitate the Kutaisi University to become the center of knowledge and innovation in the region.

The Technical University of Munich (TUM), founded in 19th century, has 12 faculties, including engineering, natural sciences and social sciences, agriculture, food technology and medical. The University pays special attention to the field of innovation and technology. Annually, more than 1000 agreements are signed with the leading technology companies. The University students have founded more than 800 “Startup Companies”. The Technical University of Munich has 40 000 students and 10 000 employees. The University professors and teachers have received 13 Nobel Prizes in physics, chemistry and medicine.

In case of increase USAID Program in Georgia 2 000 working place will be created – this statement was made by the Prime Minister of Georgia Giorgi Kvirikashvili at the joint press conference with US Secretary in State John Kerry.
“This visit has concrete results in bilateral cooperation issue. We have signed the important document which means deepening defence and security cooperation between Georgia and US. One more document was signed by us today. This is education cooperation. This is the exchange program which gives the opportunity of scholarship,”-Giorgi Kvirikashvili said.
According to him, the sides also discussed USAID program.