Rectors’ Standing Conference Meeting at GTU
24-09-2025
“On January 28, 2022, the Rectors’ Standing Conference of Georgia became a full collective member of the European University Association. This achievement marks an integral step for the country’s intellectual sovereignty and European identity, demonstrating that Georgian universities stand on the platform where the strategy for the future of European education and science is created. The reformist vision and initiatives led by Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze and the Ministry of Education, Science, and Youth of Georgia, with Minister Givi Mikanadze, drive the rapid and targeted development of Georgian higher education. As a result, we modernize the education system, introduce innovative methods, and actively integrate into the international academic space,” said Georgian Technical University Rector, Chairman of the Standing Conference of Rectors of Higher Educational Institutions of Georgia, Academician David Gurgenidze at the opening of the 16th session of the Standing Conference of Rectors.
The conference was attended by Deputy Minister of Education, Science and Youth of Georgia, Doctor of Law Zviad Gabisonia, President of the European University Association (EUA) Josep M. Garrell, who was on a working visit to Georgia, Maurizio Tira, member of the EUA Doctoral Education Council, and rectors and representatives of state and private universities accredited in Georgia.
The Rector of the Georgian Technical University opened the conference. Academician David Gurgenidze, in his capacity as Chairman, reviewed the activities of the Standing Conference of Rectors of Higher Educational Institutions of Georgia.
According to him, close and systematic communication with the European University Association allows Georgian universities to be constantly informed about the changes and innovations taking place in the European educational and scientific space. To participate in the highest-level political or strategic discussions and in making key decisions that determine the future architecture of European education and science.
According to the Chairman of the Standing Conference of Rectors, within the framework of cooperation with the European University Association, Georgian higher education institutions participated in several events organized by the European University Association (conference, webinar, seminar, etc.), the main goal of which was to strengthen the culture of quality in higher education, familiarize themselves with international practices and promote integration into the European Union higher education space.
According to the GTU Rector, involvement in these initiatives has opened the way for the following opportunities for universities: familiarization with modern European approaches and innovative practices in the field of quality assurance; deepening collaborative networks with European partner universities; sharing experience and receiving recommendations necessary for the development of the Georgian higher education system.
“In 2023–2025, the Standing Conference of Rectors of Higher Education Institutions of Georgia intensively carried out activities to analyze the main challenges facing the higher education system and determine strategic directions for its development. The Minister of Education, Science, and Youth of Georgia, representatives of the Ministry, as well as rectors of state and private universities of the country, regularly participated in the conference sessions, which ensured a multilateral discussion of issues and coordinated decision-making. I would like to emphasize that the conference discussed new draft laws, such as: 60-credit educational programs; separation of the status of universities and colleges; development of a distance university model; procedures for recognizing education abroad. In the direction of educational programs and quality assurance, the conference discussed the introduction of three-year bachelor’s programs in business administration and in tourism (discussion on IT direction continues); new quality standards were approved for doctoral programs: participation of a foreign reviewer, at least two published works (one in an indexed international journal), as well as a funding model for priority directions and principles of results-based funding. The conference discussed mechanisms for enrolling foreign students and ensuring academic quality (language requirements, authenticity of documents, security issues). The conference made decisions on working visits and new strategies for attracting foreign students, and voiced the Ministry’s support for international accreditation and the development of joint programs. In April 2024, a seminar was held with the participation of the EUA. Professor Stefan Bergman, Head of the Research and Innovation Division of the European University Association (EUA) and founder of the COARA coalition, presented the “EUA Research & Innovation Agenda – 2027”, where special attention was paid to open science, the role of the university in research and science, research ethics and the use of artificial intelligence in research and innovation”, noted David Gurgenidze in his speech.
At the end of his report, David Gurgenidze introduced the Standing Conference of Rectors’ future plans to the event participants. According to him, in 2026, it is planned to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Ivane Javakhishvili as a joint university event.
Also, cooperation with the Kutaisi International University will move to a new level, and new investments in the field of education will be encouraged. Joint interdisciplinary projects between universities in the direction of internationalization, research, and innovation will be planned. Cooperation with international partners will be expanded, including within the framework of EUA and COARA.
The President of the European University Association, Joseph Garrel addressed the participants of the 16th session of the Standing Conference of Rectors. He spoke about the main functions and activities of the European University Association, and in his report also focused on the prospects for cooperation with the Standing Conference of Rectors of Higher Education Institutions of Georgia.
At the end of the event, after listening to the speakers, a discussion was held.
The conference was attended by Deputy Minister of Education, Science and Youth of Georgia, Doctor of Law Zviad Gabisonia, President of the European University Association (EUA) Josep M. Garrell, who was on a working visit to Georgia, Maurizio Tira, member of the EUA Doctoral Education Council, and rectors and representatives of state and private universities accredited in Georgia.
The Rector of the Georgian Technical University opened the conference. Academician David Gurgenidze, in his capacity as Chairman, reviewed the activities of the Standing Conference of Rectors of Higher Educational Institutions of Georgia.
According to him, close and systematic communication with the European University Association allows Georgian universities to be constantly informed about the changes and innovations taking place in the European educational and scientific space. To participate in the highest-level political or strategic discussions and in making key decisions that determine the future architecture of European education and science.
According to the Chairman of the Standing Conference of Rectors, within the framework of cooperation with the European University Association, Georgian higher education institutions participated in several events organized by the European University Association (conference, webinar, seminar, etc.), the main goal of which was to strengthen the culture of quality in higher education, familiarize themselves with international practices and promote integration into the European Union higher education space.
According to the GTU Rector, involvement in these initiatives has opened the way for the following opportunities for universities: familiarization with modern European approaches and innovative practices in the field of quality assurance; deepening collaborative networks with European partner universities; sharing experience and receiving recommendations necessary for the development of the Georgian higher education system.
“In 2023–2025, the Standing Conference of Rectors of Higher Education Institutions of Georgia intensively carried out activities to analyze the main challenges facing the higher education system and determine strategic directions for its development. The Minister of Education, Science, and Youth of Georgia, representatives of the Ministry, as well as rectors of state and private universities of the country, regularly participated in the conference sessions, which ensured a multilateral discussion of issues and coordinated decision-making. I would like to emphasize that the conference discussed new draft laws, such as: 60-credit educational programs; separation of the status of universities and colleges; development of a distance university model; procedures for recognizing education abroad. In the direction of educational programs and quality assurance, the conference discussed the introduction of three-year bachelor’s programs in business administration and in tourism (discussion on IT direction continues); new quality standards were approved for doctoral programs: participation of a foreign reviewer, at least two published works (one in an indexed international journal), as well as a funding model for priority directions and principles of results-based funding. The conference discussed mechanisms for enrolling foreign students and ensuring academic quality (language requirements, authenticity of documents, security issues). The conference made decisions on working visits and new strategies for attracting foreign students, and voiced the Ministry’s support for international accreditation and the development of joint programs. In April 2024, a seminar was held with the participation of the EUA. Professor Stefan Bergman, Head of the Research and Innovation Division of the European University Association (EUA) and founder of the COARA coalition, presented the “EUA Research & Innovation Agenda – 2027”, where special attention was paid to open science, the role of the university in research and science, research ethics and the use of artificial intelligence in research and innovation”, noted David Gurgenidze in his speech.
At the end of his report, David Gurgenidze introduced the Standing Conference of Rectors’ future plans to the event participants. According to him, in 2026, it is planned to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Ivane Javakhishvili as a joint university event.
Also, cooperation with the Kutaisi International University will move to a new level, and new investments in the field of education will be encouraged. Joint interdisciplinary projects between universities in the direction of internationalization, research, and innovation will be planned. Cooperation with international partners will be expanded, including within the framework of EUA and COARA.
The President of the European University Association, Joseph Garrel addressed the participants of the 16th session of the Standing Conference of Rectors. He spoke about the main functions and activities of the European University Association, and in his report also focused on the prospects for cooperation with the Standing Conference of Rectors of Higher Education Institutions of Georgia.
At the end of the event, after listening to the speakers, a discussion was held.
