Students of the Faculty of Construction of the Georgian Technical University, in agreement with the Ministry of Infrastructure of Georgia, with the direct involvement of Minister Revaz Sokhadze and the support of the Rector, Academician David Gurgenidze, completed practical training on-site in the Aragvi Gorge, within the framework of the Kvesheti-Kobi Motorway construction project.

The practical training, which was led by Tamaz Shilakadze, Professor of the Faculty of Construction, Academician of the Georgian National Academy of Sciences, Director General of the Georgian Roads Scientific-Research and Enterprise Technological complex Institute, and professors of the faculty - Tamaz Khmelidze, Boris Maisuradze, Marina Grdzelishvili and Konstantine Mchedlishvili, involved 35 students from all three levels of study at the Faculty of Construction. 

As Academician Tamaz Shilakadze notes, the students, along with professors and teachers, were guided around the site by Giorgi Eragia, Head of the Construction Process Management Service funded by donor organizations of the Roads Department of the Ministry of Infrastructure of Georgia, and his deputy Besik Diasamidze.

According to Tamaz Shilakadze, representatives of the Roads Department introduced the students to both the complete construction project of the Kvesheti-Kobi road, as well as the working drawings of the section that the training practice covered.

“We informed the students that the Ministry of Infrastructure coordinates the main projects for the development of our country’s road infrastructure and construction and rehabilitation activities that are carried out on roads of international and domestic importance, and the direct implementer of these projects is the Roads Department, whose representatives guided the students participating in the training practice. In agreement with them, we transported the young people through the curved bridge under construction on the middle section of the Pasanauri-Mleti Military Road to the left bank of the Aragvi River, from where the 1.5 km long three-lane road tunnel begins. Together with representatives of the Roads Department, professors of the Faculty of Construction Tamaz Khmelidze and Boris Maisuradze provided the students with comprehensive information on the construction work on the bridge and in the tunnel. It is noteworthy that the students observed the tunnel, the concrete pumping and truck construction works at the portal, which aroused great interest among the youth. They asked many questions about the tunnel construction, reinforcement, lining, operation, ventilation, and slope, as well as the process of installing the bridge’s pedestrian sidewalks, reinforcement, and railings. We believe that such training practices are important for students of the Faculty of Construction in many ways,” says Tamaz Shilakadze.

According to Giorgi Kvirikashvili, a bachelor of the Faculty of Construction, what they saw exceeded their expectations, as grandiose works are underway in the Aragvi Gorge.

“It is one thing when we listen to lectures in the auditorium on the construction issue, and it is a completely different effect when you observe the ongoing construction on site and can study it in practice. I have been to the Aragvi Gorge before, but I could not imagine that such grandiose construction works were underway here. I and my group are delighted. Thank you to my faculty, teachers, and my university,” says Giorgi Kvirikashvili.

As doctoral student Mari Tebidze notes, the internship significantly broadened her scientific horizons: “I am thrilled that I was allowed to complete my internship at such an important construction site. I think it has significantly broadened my scientific horizons. I am already convinced that much of what I have seen will be useful in preparing my dissertation.”

Professor Zurab Gvishiani, the Dean of the Faculty of Construction at Georgian Technical University, has expressed a positive assessment of the practical training conducted for the construction of the Kvesheti-Kobi highway. He emphasized that the practical training component is crucial in the educational process and plays a significant role in students’ professional development.

“For Georgian Technical University, practical training is one of the most important aspects of education. We believe that students in the Faculty of Construction should have the opportunity to acquire theoretical knowledge in engineering and develop practical skills. This includes participating in large-scale construction projects, visiting facilities and sites, and observing the construction process firsthand. The practical training on the Kvesheti-Kobi highway section in the Aragvi Gorge exemplifies this approach. We are truly grateful for the involvement of faculty professors and the support from the Ministry of Infrastructure of Georgia in facilitating this training. Through our collaboration with the Ministry, we were able to organize training practices at one of the country’s strategically significant construction sites. We also extend our thanks to the Roads Department and the professionals working on-site for their hospitality and guidance.

It is noteworthy that at the Georgian Technical University, both at the Faculty of Construction and all other faculties, internships are regularly carried out in cooperation with partner organizations. The faculties are provided with significant support by the Rector, Academician David Gurgenidze, the University Administration, as well as the Department of Student Services, Culture and Sports and its head, Dr. Levan Pipia, who actively participates in resolving coordination issues. I believe that the implementation of such practical initiatives by the University will allow students to better understand their professional path, acquire the necessary skills in order to become professionals and researchers in the future,” says Zurab Gvishiani.

Internships for students of the Faculty of Construction will continue until the end of the academic year.