Chairman of the Georgian Technical University Supervisory Board - “Investment in Young People is the Strongest Pillar of our Future”
25-07-2025
The Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the Georgian Technical University, Professor Zurab Gudavadze, Vice-Rector, Professor Tamar Lominadze, and the Head of the Department of Science and Innovation, Professor Mikheil Janikashvili, visited the GTU Biotechnology Center as part of the Biotechnology Week.
Biotechnology Week, initiated by the Georgian Innovation and Technology Agency (GITA), is held for adolescents aged 14-18, which means providing access to modern technologies for young people, developing their innovative thinking and basic skills for building a startup, increasing the importance of teaching agrotechnologies and biotechnology, and actively involving young innovators in the Georgian startup ecosystem.
According to the head of the GTU Biotechnology Center, young people who are interested in agricultural directions participate in technology weeks.
Within the framework of the project, 50 participants undergo intensive training and workshops in biotechnology and agrotechnologies. At the same time, participants attend “mentoring sessions,” during which they refine their ideas and products, and at the final stage, they present their ideas.
According to Professor Maia Kukhaleishvili, Doctor of Ecology, the Biotechnology Center serves as a scientific research institution focused on conducting fundamental research with world-proven, modern, and innovative technologies. The center aims to adapt these technologies to the specific geographical and climatic conditions of Georgia.
Its key objectives include acquiring and distributing elite seeds and planting materials for various crops, monitoring and conserving Georgia’s biodiversity, cultivating and sustainably utilizing these resources, testing biological preparations to reduce microbial diseases in crops, and developing and implementing new technologies for the storage of grapes and fruit crops.
“The purpose of the Biotechnology Center is to make it possible to obtain a clean product through research. Potato virus-free test tube plants are ecologically clean plants. They can be supplied to farmers who are interested in producing biologically clean products, which in turn will contribute to the development of organic farming in Georgia. The rational use of phytogenetic resources - medicinal, aromatic, honey, dye, spice, poisonous - and innovative technologies is very relevant given global climate change. As a result, we should obtain an ecologically clean product. At the same time, natural resources will be preserved, and safe, clean, healthy products will be created. This issue is a priority for Georgia, which has a small land area, a unique ecosystem, and biodiversity. The practical implementation of the results of the new technology for storing gourds and grapes raw will allow farmers to store these agricultural products for the maximum time, with minimal losses, and sell them during the winter, in both the local and international markets. This will significantly improve their socio-economic situation and will have a significant positive impact on the country’s economy. The implementation of this mission includes several areas, namely: storage and renewal (collection) of in vitro potato seedlings; tuberization of potatoes in vitro and removal of microtubers in open ground to obtain elite seeds and obtaining walnut plants in vitro; comparative study of the action of biopreparation and fungicide against fungal diseases of the root system of soil and vegetable crops to create ecologically safe conditions for plants and soil; monitoring-conservation and cultivation of biodiversity of medicinal, aromatic, honey, dye, spice and poisonous plants; innovative technologies for sustainable use in Georgia; development of new technologies for the storage of introduced varieties of gourds, berries, table grapes and biochemical research. We talked to the young people about these areas and toured the laboratories,” said Maia Kukhaleishvili.
According to Professor Zurab Gudavadze, Chairman of the GTU Supervisory Board, the rapid advancement of technology is transforming our lives every day. In this context, it is crucial to involve young people in the processes of innovation and science.
“Events like Biotechnology Week are essential as they provide a unique opportunity for young people to familiarize themselves with modern technologies, develop critical thinking and innovative perspectives, and acquire the foundational skills necessary to create a startup. The participation of the Georgian Technical University in this project is strategically important, as we are one of the key centers for education and scientific development in the country. Our university’s experience, professional resources, and infrastructure enable young people to closely engage with the fields of biotechnology, agrotechnology, and innovation. This ultimately strengthens the country’s startup ecosystem and fosters a competitive environment. We must highlight that the Biotechnology Center at Georgian Technical University is equipped with state-of-the-art laboratories, making it a unique asset in the region. The research conducted here is vital for the economic development of our country. It is noteworthy that investing in young people is the strongest foundation for our future. It is gratifying to see the interest that young individuals have shown in the ongoing work at the Center. Many have expressed a desire to participate in the research,” said Zurab Gudavadze.
Biotechnology Week, initiated by the Georgian Innovation and Technology Agency (GITA), is held for adolescents aged 14-18, which means providing access to modern technologies for young people, developing their innovative thinking and basic skills for building a startup, increasing the importance of teaching agrotechnologies and biotechnology, and actively involving young innovators in the Georgian startup ecosystem.
According to the head of the GTU Biotechnology Center, young people who are interested in agricultural directions participate in technology weeks.
Within the framework of the project, 50 participants undergo intensive training and workshops in biotechnology and agrotechnologies. At the same time, participants attend “mentoring sessions,” during which they refine their ideas and products, and at the final stage, they present their ideas.
According to Professor Maia Kukhaleishvili, Doctor of Ecology, the Biotechnology Center serves as a scientific research institution focused on conducting fundamental research with world-proven, modern, and innovative technologies. The center aims to adapt these technologies to the specific geographical and climatic conditions of Georgia.
Its key objectives include acquiring and distributing elite seeds and planting materials for various crops, monitoring and conserving Georgia’s biodiversity, cultivating and sustainably utilizing these resources, testing biological preparations to reduce microbial diseases in crops, and developing and implementing new technologies for the storage of grapes and fruit crops.
“The purpose of the Biotechnology Center is to make it possible to obtain a clean product through research. Potato virus-free test tube plants are ecologically clean plants. They can be supplied to farmers who are interested in producing biologically clean products, which in turn will contribute to the development of organic farming in Georgia. The rational use of phytogenetic resources - medicinal, aromatic, honey, dye, spice, poisonous - and innovative technologies is very relevant given global climate change. As a result, we should obtain an ecologically clean product. At the same time, natural resources will be preserved, and safe, clean, healthy products will be created. This issue is a priority for Georgia, which has a small land area, a unique ecosystem, and biodiversity. The practical implementation of the results of the new technology for storing gourds and grapes raw will allow farmers to store these agricultural products for the maximum time, with minimal losses, and sell them during the winter, in both the local and international markets. This will significantly improve their socio-economic situation and will have a significant positive impact on the country’s economy. The implementation of this mission includes several areas, namely: storage and renewal (collection) of in vitro potato seedlings; tuberization of potatoes in vitro and removal of microtubers in open ground to obtain elite seeds and obtaining walnut plants in vitro; comparative study of the action of biopreparation and fungicide against fungal diseases of the root system of soil and vegetable crops to create ecologically safe conditions for plants and soil; monitoring-conservation and cultivation of biodiversity of medicinal, aromatic, honey, dye, spice and poisonous plants; innovative technologies for sustainable use in Georgia; development of new technologies for the storage of introduced varieties of gourds, berries, table grapes and biochemical research. We talked to the young people about these areas and toured the laboratories,” said Maia Kukhaleishvili.
According to Professor Zurab Gudavadze, Chairman of the GTU Supervisory Board, the rapid advancement of technology is transforming our lives every day. In this context, it is crucial to involve young people in the processes of innovation and science.
“Events like Biotechnology Week are essential as they provide a unique opportunity for young people to familiarize themselves with modern technologies, develop critical thinking and innovative perspectives, and acquire the foundational skills necessary to create a startup. The participation of the Georgian Technical University in this project is strategically important, as we are one of the key centers for education and scientific development in the country. Our university’s experience, professional resources, and infrastructure enable young people to closely engage with the fields of biotechnology, agrotechnology, and innovation. This ultimately strengthens the country’s startup ecosystem and fosters a competitive environment. We must highlight that the Biotechnology Center at Georgian Technical University is equipped with state-of-the-art laboratories, making it a unique asset in the region. The research conducted here is vital for the economic development of our country. It is noteworthy that investing in young people is the strongest foundation for our future. It is gratifying to see the interest that young individuals have shown in the ongoing work at the Center. Many have expressed a desire to participate in the research,” said Zurab Gudavadze.
