“The extraordinary meeting of the permanent conference of rectors of higher educational institutions of Georgia is connected with the visit of the founder of the COARA coalition, Professor Stefan Bergmans. Today, we will have the opportunity to receive detailed information on issues of strategic importance for the planning, evaluation, and development of important research”, - said the rector of the Technical University of Georgia, the chairman of the permanent conference of rectors of higher educational institutions of Georgia, academician Davit Gurgenidze.

At the Permanent Conference of Rectors of Georgia, in front of the First Deputy Minister of Education, Science and Youth, Aleksandre Tsuladze, and rectors and vice-rectors of accredited higher educational institutions in Georgia, the founder of the COARA coalition, Professor Stefan Bergmans, delivered a report – “EUA Research & Innovation Agenda 2027, seizing the moment, driving the change” (2027 research and innovation agenda of the European University Association, realizing the moment, stimulating change).

The founder of the COARA coalition, Professor Stefan Bergmans, thanked the Permanent Conference of Rectors of Higher Educational Institutions of Georgia and the Ministry of Education, Science and Youth of Georgia for their interest in the issue and hosting. As he pointed out in his report, the European University Association (EUA) enables the member organizations to participate in common European projects and to share their experiences on best practices with stakeholders.

According to Professor Stefan Bergmans, accredited universities in Georgia will be allowed to submit interesting, necessary, and highly qualified research and receive appropriate support. Moreover, the association cooperates with the European Commission and the European Parliament and it allows member organizations to participate in the formation of future policies and initiatives for the European Union’s higher education. At the end of the report, Professor Stefan Bergmans answered the questions.

According to Academician Davit Gurgenidze, Rector of the Technical University of Georgia and Chairman of the Permanent Conference of Rectors of Higher Educational Institutions of Georgia, COARA, whose founder is Professor Stefan Bergman, is a global coalition of research funding organizations and agencies of national evaluation organizations.

“Professor Stefan Bergmans’ participation in the work of the Permanent Conference of Rectors of Higher Educational Institutions of Georgia is not only a great honor but also necessary and timely because the scientific and academic circles of our country will be allowed to present research and innovations to the COARA coalition and gain effective support deservedly. It is one of the most necessary conditions for the Georgian science development. On the other hand, for the researchers and academic staff of accredited higher education schools in Georgia, collaboration with foreign colleagues is becoming more and more active, to the extent that foreign scientists receive information about the works and the latest research, as well as innovative ideas from Georgian scientists, whom we can safely call world-class researchers. I want to wish success to my colleagues and thank the participants of the conference. I also thank the Ministry of Education, Science, and Youth of Georgia, personally, Giorgi Amilakhvari, for the cooperation and support”, said Davit Gurgenidze.

The Association of European Universities is one of the largest organizations that unites European universities and educational organizations. The Association of European Universities has about 850 members in 47 countries. The organization is based in Brussels and provides research into European higher education policy and practice in terms of quality assurance, internationalization, governance, and financing, as well as transnational and institutional development projects.