The Rector of GTU States Readiness to Meet Giuli Alasania, Founder of the University of Georgia, in Open Televised Debates, While Professors and Academic Staff Express Willingness to Engage with Rector Konstantine Topuria
17-04-2025
For over a century, Georgian Technical University has played a foundational role in the scientific and educational landscape of our country. A clear testament to this legacy is today’s remarkable achievement: for the first time, not only in Georgia, but globally, 5 mm diameter straw tubes, manufactured using the latest technology from 12- and 15-micron aluminized Mylar tape, will be produced at Georgian Technical University. This marks a significant scientific breakthrough.
“In light of this success, however, we are witnessing an orchestrated attack on the university, its students, and academic staff. This campaign is unfolding against the backdrop of our legitimate demand for the return of property unlawfully appropriated from GTU during the Saakashvili regime,” stated GTU Rector, Academician David Gurgenidze, during a session of the Academic Council.
David Gurgenidze, together with the Academic Council, discussed the events that occurred after the questioning of the rector and chancellor of the Georgian Technical University by the parliamentary investigative commission. These events were related to the statements made by the rector of the University of Georgia, Constantine Topuria, on various television channels.
“I officially and publicly declare my readiness to meet Professor Giuli Alasania, founder of the University of Georgia, in any live television debate format,” said Academician David Gurgenidze.
“Giuli Alasania and her group, through state machinery, intimidation tactics, and the threat of revoking accreditation, illegally seized property belonging to Georgian Technical University. This was undoubtedly done with the support of former president Mikheil Saakashvili.
Following our testimony before the investigative commission, the Rector of the University of Georgia is now attempting to mislead the public, claiming that GTU is providing false information and politicizing the matter. Let me clearly state: the misappropriation of GTU’s property is not a political issue—it is a blatant example of political and elite corruption, originating as far back as 2004, and directly tied to Georgian Technical University.
Today, Giuli Alasania is attempting to cover up this crime, pretending it predates her tenure at the University of Georgia and delegating the discussion to the current rector, who, due to his age, I am certain is unaware of the corruption and coercion that led to the unlawful seizure of GTU property.
Once again, I confirm that I am ready to participate in a televised debate—but only with Giuli Alasania, not with Konstantine Topuria, who is the current rector and had no involvement in the events in question. Only Giuli Alasania knows how GTU’s property was taken, and only she can answer the necessary questions," concluded Rector David Gurgenidze.
Members of the Academic Council also expressed readiness to engage in televised debates with the Rector of the University of Georgia, emphasizing that they were direct witnesses to the property seizure.
“We will explain to Mr. Topuria what really happened,” stated Professor Mikheil Janikashvili. "Unfortunately, he seems unaware of the details, yet still categorically claims that GTU’s efforts to reclaim its property are politically motivated. This issue has been under discussion at our university for several years, and the public is already aware of it.”
“In light of this success, however, we are witnessing an orchestrated attack on the university, its students, and academic staff. This campaign is unfolding against the backdrop of our legitimate demand for the return of property unlawfully appropriated from GTU during the Saakashvili regime,” stated GTU Rector, Academician David Gurgenidze, during a session of the Academic Council.
David Gurgenidze, together with the Academic Council, discussed the events that occurred after the questioning of the rector and chancellor of the Georgian Technical University by the parliamentary investigative commission. These events were related to the statements made by the rector of the University of Georgia, Constantine Topuria, on various television channels.
“I officially and publicly declare my readiness to meet Professor Giuli Alasania, founder of the University of Georgia, in any live television debate format,” said Academician David Gurgenidze.
“Giuli Alasania and her group, through state machinery, intimidation tactics, and the threat of revoking accreditation, illegally seized property belonging to Georgian Technical University. This was undoubtedly done with the support of former president Mikheil Saakashvili.
Following our testimony before the investigative commission, the Rector of the University of Georgia is now attempting to mislead the public, claiming that GTU is providing false information and politicizing the matter. Let me clearly state: the misappropriation of GTU’s property is not a political issue—it is a blatant example of political and elite corruption, originating as far back as 2004, and directly tied to Georgian Technical University.
Today, Giuli Alasania is attempting to cover up this crime, pretending it predates her tenure at the University of Georgia and delegating the discussion to the current rector, who, due to his age, I am certain is unaware of the corruption and coercion that led to the unlawful seizure of GTU property.
Once again, I confirm that I am ready to participate in a televised debate—but only with Giuli Alasania, not with Konstantine Topuria, who is the current rector and had no involvement in the events in question. Only Giuli Alasania knows how GTU’s property was taken, and only she can answer the necessary questions," concluded Rector David Gurgenidze.
Members of the Academic Council also expressed readiness to engage in televised debates with the Rector of the University of Georgia, emphasizing that they were direct witnesses to the property seizure.
“We will explain to Mr. Topuria what really happened,” stated Professor Mikheil Janikashvili. "Unfortunately, he seems unaware of the details, yet still categorically claims that GTU’s efforts to reclaim its property are politically motivated. This issue has been under discussion at our university for several years, and the public is already aware of it.”
