GTU Rector, Academician David Gurgenidze, Met With the President of the International Sommeliers Guild, Joseph Miller
29-09-2025
At the invitation of the Center for Cooperation with the Georgian Representation of the International Sommeliers Guild of GTU, Academician David Gurgenidze met with President of the International Sommelier Guild (ISG) Joseph Miller, who is on a working visit to the Georgian Technical University, and the Sommelier School representatives.
During the meeting, the parties explored collaboration to elevate the sommelier profession in Georgia, enhance educational standards, and create new opportunities for students.
The Rector and the President of the Sommeliers Guild focused on the sharing of international experience and the possibilities of implementing joint educational programs.
Academician David Gurgenidze introduced the guests to the innovative projects implemented at GTU and the experience of cooperation with international partners. According to the rector, the Technical University is ready to support the implementation of new educational initiatives, which will further enhance the professional capabilities of students and help them increase their competitiveness in the international market.
David Gurgenidze reiterated GTU’s goal to create an educational platform supporting sustainable wine industry development, boosting tourism, and promoting Georgian wine globally.
“Georgian Technical University has always considered the priorities of the country’s economic and cultural development. Winemaking, as one of the most important branches of Georgian national identity, is not only a traditional but also a field of scientific, research, and educational interest for us. The university has been working for years on the introduction of innovative approaches in viticulture and winemaking, allowing the next generation to deeply study both technological processes and the importance of wine culture. Cooperation with the International Sommeliers Guild will allow us to expand the educational space and establish a professional course for sommeliers on the basis of the university, which will connect the experience of Georgian winemaking with modern international standards. This course will serve not only to deepen knowledge, but also to strengthen professional practice, which will allow future sommeliers to become worthy representatives of Georgia on a global scale,” says David Gurgenidze.
ISG President Joseph Miller emphasized that Georgia is a country with an ancient history and traditions of wine, which creates unique opportunities for the further development of both education and tourism and wine culture. According to him, the International Sommeliers Guild is interested in a partnership that includes joint educational courses, training, and exchange programs.
The parties unanimously noted that cooperation between the Georgian Technical University and international professional structures will make a significant contribution to the popularization of the sommelier profession in Georgia and the establishment of new standards.
During the meeting, the parties explored collaboration to elevate the sommelier profession in Georgia, enhance educational standards, and create new opportunities for students.
The Rector and the President of the Sommeliers Guild focused on the sharing of international experience and the possibilities of implementing joint educational programs.
Academician David Gurgenidze introduced the guests to the innovative projects implemented at GTU and the experience of cooperation with international partners. According to the rector, the Technical University is ready to support the implementation of new educational initiatives, which will further enhance the professional capabilities of students and help them increase their competitiveness in the international market.
David Gurgenidze reiterated GTU’s goal to create an educational platform supporting sustainable wine industry development, boosting tourism, and promoting Georgian wine globally.
“Georgian Technical University has always considered the priorities of the country’s economic and cultural development. Winemaking, as one of the most important branches of Georgian national identity, is not only a traditional but also a field of scientific, research, and educational interest for us. The university has been working for years on the introduction of innovative approaches in viticulture and winemaking, allowing the next generation to deeply study both technological processes and the importance of wine culture. Cooperation with the International Sommeliers Guild will allow us to expand the educational space and establish a professional course for sommeliers on the basis of the university, which will connect the experience of Georgian winemaking with modern international standards. This course will serve not only to deepen knowledge, but also to strengthen professional practice, which will allow future sommeliers to become worthy representatives of Georgia on a global scale,” says David Gurgenidze.
ISG President Joseph Miller emphasized that Georgia is a country with an ancient history and traditions of wine, which creates unique opportunities for the further development of both education and tourism and wine culture. According to him, the International Sommeliers Guild is interested in a partnership that includes joint educational courses, training, and exchange programs.
The parties unanimously noted that cooperation between the Georgian Technical University and international professional structures will make a significant contribution to the popularization of the sommelier profession in Georgia and the establishment of new standards.
