Meeting Between GTU Rector David Gurgenidze and CERN Director General Mark Thomson in Geneva
30-09-2025
The Rector of the Georgian Technical University, Associate Member of CERN, Academician David Gurgenidze, is on a working visit to one of the world’s largest scientific centers - the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) in Geneva.
During the visit, Academician David Gurgenidze met with the newly elected Director General of the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Professor Mark Thomson, Scientific Director, Professor Gautier-Amel de Monchenault, CERN/ATLAS Collaboration Spokesperson - Stephane Willock, CERN/CMS Collaboration Leader, and GTU Professor - Tiziano Camporesi.
During the meetings, the parties discussed in detail the ways to expand cooperation between the Georgian Technical University and CERN. Particular attention was paid to the implementation of joint scientific projects in such strategic areas as high and ultrahigh energy physics, particle accelerator technologies, innovative materials, and computer modeling.
In addition, they discussed new opportunities for GTU students, young scientists, and researchers to participate in international research programs, which will give them a unique experience in participating in research conducted in leading laboratories around the world.
According to the GTU rector, this initiative will promote the professional development of young people, master modern technologies and research methods. As Academician David Gurgenidze notes, cooperation with the European Organization for Nuclear Research will further strengthen international partnerships and open new ways for the development of strategically important scientific and technological directions for the country.
“Cooperation with CERN is of particular importance for the Georgian Technical University, as it is the platform where the global agenda of modern science is being shaped. Our goal is to provide students and young researchers with the opportunity to directly engage in experiments and research that will determine the development of physics, innovative technologies, engineering, and information sciences in the future. The priority for the Georgian Technical University is to become a national and regional scientific hub that will attract international partners and create a solid foundation for the formation of a new generation of scientists. I would like to emphasize that my first meeting with the Director General of the European Organization for Nuclear Research, Professor Mark Thomson, turned out to be fruitful and promising. We discussed specific areas of cooperation, especially joint research projects, prospects for greater involvement of students and young scientists in international programs, and the development of educational innovations. I believe that this dialogue will have a solid continuation, which will further strengthen the partnership between the Georgian Technical University and CERN. Our goal is for this cooperation to serve not only the students and researchers of the university, but also the entire scientific and educational ecosystem of the country. Today, we are boldly talking about strengthening and expanding international relations. I would like to emphasize that the Prime Minister of the country, Irakli Kobakhidze, and the Minister of Education, Science and Youth of Georgia, Givi Mikanadze, have made a special contribution to the closer rapprochement of the Georgian and European scientific and educational spaces and the improvement of the quality of the Georgian education system. Their support allows Georgian universities to continue active cooperation with international research centers and highly rated universities, develop innovative projects, educate a new generation of scientists, and make Georgia a center of modern technologies and research capabilities in the region,” says David Gurgenidze.
For information, in 2024, the Rector of the Georgian Technical University, Academician David Gurgenidze, became an Associate Member of the CMS Experiment for his contribution to the deepening of relations between Georgia and the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) and the CERN/CMS collaboration, as well as for his personal organizational and scientific achievements.
It is also worth noting that CERN considers the Georgian Technical University to be an indispensable member of the collaboration and, accordingly, allows the GTU Rector and a group of scientists to be involved not only in the large-scale phase of the HL-LHC of the CMS experiment, but also in the implementation of the physics program of the Future Cyclic Collider (FCC).
Scientists of the Georgian Technical University actively participate in CERN’s advanced experimental physics projects, especially in the RPC and HGCAL groups of the CMS experiment’s muon system. In February 2025, they achieved a significant success, the successful completion of the creation of 80 state-of-the-art iRPC cameras and the next-generation electronics required for them, which was an important part of the CMS experiment modernization program.
During the visit, Academician David Gurgenidze met with the newly elected Director General of the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Professor Mark Thomson, Scientific Director, Professor Gautier-Amel de Monchenault, CERN/ATLAS Collaboration Spokesperson - Stephane Willock, CERN/CMS Collaboration Leader, and GTU Professor - Tiziano Camporesi.
During the meetings, the parties discussed in detail the ways to expand cooperation between the Georgian Technical University and CERN. Particular attention was paid to the implementation of joint scientific projects in such strategic areas as high and ultrahigh energy physics, particle accelerator technologies, innovative materials, and computer modeling.
In addition, they discussed new opportunities for GTU students, young scientists, and researchers to participate in international research programs, which will give them a unique experience in participating in research conducted in leading laboratories around the world.
According to the GTU rector, this initiative will promote the professional development of young people, master modern technologies and research methods. As Academician David Gurgenidze notes, cooperation with the European Organization for Nuclear Research will further strengthen international partnerships and open new ways for the development of strategically important scientific and technological directions for the country.
“Cooperation with CERN is of particular importance for the Georgian Technical University, as it is the platform where the global agenda of modern science is being shaped. Our goal is to provide students and young researchers with the opportunity to directly engage in experiments and research that will determine the development of physics, innovative technologies, engineering, and information sciences in the future. The priority for the Georgian Technical University is to become a national and regional scientific hub that will attract international partners and create a solid foundation for the formation of a new generation of scientists. I would like to emphasize that my first meeting with the Director General of the European Organization for Nuclear Research, Professor Mark Thomson, turned out to be fruitful and promising. We discussed specific areas of cooperation, especially joint research projects, prospects for greater involvement of students and young scientists in international programs, and the development of educational innovations. I believe that this dialogue will have a solid continuation, which will further strengthen the partnership between the Georgian Technical University and CERN. Our goal is for this cooperation to serve not only the students and researchers of the university, but also the entire scientific and educational ecosystem of the country. Today, we are boldly talking about strengthening and expanding international relations. I would like to emphasize that the Prime Minister of the country, Irakli Kobakhidze, and the Minister of Education, Science and Youth of Georgia, Givi Mikanadze, have made a special contribution to the closer rapprochement of the Georgian and European scientific and educational spaces and the improvement of the quality of the Georgian education system. Their support allows Georgian universities to continue active cooperation with international research centers and highly rated universities, develop innovative projects, educate a new generation of scientists, and make Georgia a center of modern technologies and research capabilities in the region,” says David Gurgenidze.
For information, in 2024, the Rector of the Georgian Technical University, Academician David Gurgenidze, became an Associate Member of the CMS Experiment for his contribution to the deepening of relations between Georgia and the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) and the CERN/CMS collaboration, as well as for his personal organizational and scientific achievements.
It is also worth noting that CERN considers the Georgian Technical University to be an indispensable member of the collaboration and, accordingly, allows the GTU Rector and a group of scientists to be involved not only in the large-scale phase of the HL-LHC of the CMS experiment, but also in the implementation of the physics program of the Future Cyclic Collider (FCC).
Scientists of the Georgian Technical University actively participate in CERN’s advanced experimental physics projects, especially in the RPC and HGCAL groups of the CMS experiment’s muon system. In February 2025, they achieved a significant success, the successful completion of the creation of 80 state-of-the-art iRPC cameras and the next-generation electronics required for them, which was an important part of the CMS experiment modernization program.
