Department of Applied Geology, on March 7, 2005, by order of the rector of the university (No. 583/03), was created on the basis of five previously existing departments - mineralogy, petrology and geochemistry, geology and paleontology, geology and exploration of mineral deposits, hydrogeology and engineering geology, mining-geological and management of chemical metallurgical enterprises.
Professors and teachers of the department with high qualifications and rich practical experience, along with the educational process, performed and continue to be able to perform the following types of work in accordance with international requirements using the existing material and technical base:
The Department of Applied Geology has chemical, mineralogy, mineralogy, hydrogeology, petrography and soil physico-chemical properties testing laboratories, a grinding workshop. The laboratories are equipped with both relatively outdated and international equipment.
Along with the former departments, the department includes the scientific-research center "Republic Center for Research, Diagnostics and Processing of Gemology and Mineral Substances" (#362), three teaching-scientific laboratories-museums of geological profile: Geology and Paleontology; of mineralogy and petrography.
There are currently 22 professors, 4 teachers, 10 laboratory assistants, 3 museum administrators and 5 scientific employees in the Department of Applied Geology.
Geology educational programs (bachelor's, master's, doctoral) underwent significant additions and progress during the previous modification period (2016-2020), new study courses were added to the bachelor's program. Some of the old ones were filled with new issues. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are currently taught both as stand-alone courses and in some separate geology courses.
It is worth noting that in order to receive the next accreditation in the future (2027), it is important to refresh the training courses taking into account the new requirements, we are also thinking about replenishing, refreshing and establishing new laboratories for teaching and scientific laboratories, especially this applies to the modern research component of master's and doctoral degrees. Implementation of modern methods and components necessary to perform at the level, which is necessary for preparing competitive specialists. It is important to retool existing laboratories and purchase new tools and equipment.
Employees are engaged in scientific research work along with the educational process.
The Department of Geology and Exploration of Mineral Deposits is the direct successor of the Polytechnic Faculty of Tbilisi State University. The senior teacher of this higher education institution, Mr. Kalistrate Gabunia, who returned to his homeland from Siberia in 1924, established the Department of Applied Geology in 1926, which he assumed the leadership of.
In 1928, as a result of the merger of the Polytechnic Faculty of Tbilisi State University and the Russian-language engineering higher education institution founded in 1917, a new technical higher education institution was formed - the Industrial Institute of Georgia, where the cathedra of applied geology of Tbilisi State University was directly transferred under the leadership of Professor K. Gabunia.
After the untimely death of Mr. Kallistrate (at the age of 49), the department was headed by:
In 1937-56 - Academician Petre Gamkrelidze
1956-67 - Docent Grisha Avaliani,
1967-80 - Docent Giorgi Togonidze,
1980-1991 - Professor Shota Javakhishvili,
1991-1997 - Professor Zurab Otkhmezuri,
From 1997 to 2005, Professor Nodar Kajaia.
The members of the department were actively involved in the study of solid minerals of Georgia, many field-geological expeditions were carried out.
The cathedra was equipped with microscopes, collections and various laboratory and field equipment.
Cabinet of Mineragraphy and Structural Geology
Since its establishment, the department has trained several thousand mining engineers-geologists. Among them are practicing geologists, production managers, as well as outstanding scientists: academicians G. Glochrelidze, E. Gamkrelidze, D. Shengelia, Academy member-correspondents G. Zaridze, M. Topchishvili, I. Buachidze and doctors of sciences - V. Nadiradze, Sh. Javakhishvili and many others. Academicians Petre and Erekle Gamkrelidze, G. Chlochrelidze; Distinguished professors A. Bendeliani, V. Nadiradze, G. Kometiani, M. Abakelia, M. Japaridze, Sh. Javakhishvili, Z. Otkhmezuri, V. Geleishvili, docents T. Zaghiu, N. Gabashvili (Nizharadze) and many other prominent teachers.
Professor Vazha Geleishvili's contribution to the renewal of the department's material base and transfer of educational collections is important.
In 1922, the well-known scientist Alexander Tvaltchrelidze (1881-1957), who previously taught the same courses at the Faculty of Natural Sciences of Tbilisi State University, was invited to teach crystallography, mineralogy and petrography courses at the Polytechnic Faculty of Tbilisi State University. In fact, this year should be considered as the date of creation of the cathedra, although formally it happened in 1928, when the cathedra of crystallography, mineralogy and petrography was created and established at the Industrial Institute of Georgia, and Al. Tvaltchrelidze was appointed as the principal.
Al. Tvaltchrelidze studied the mineral resources of Georgia with great enthusiasm and success. He discovered the richest deposits of adsorbent clays in Western Georgia. This raw material is necessary for the development of the oil industry, this discovery gave a great economic effect to the state, since until now this raw material was imported from the United States of America; These fields (Gumbri, Askana) are still functioning. In addition to bentonite clays, he discovered and studied deposits of marble, chalcedony and others.
Along with scientific-research and pedagogical activities, Al. Tvaltchrelidze thought that it was extremely necessary to introduce mineralogical and petrographic knowledge to the population. He systematically gave popular lectures and organized excursions on behalf of the Geographical and Geological Society, he took an active part in compiling the first guidebook of the Tbilisi area. The scientist's great erudition, love of work and active work made geological activity popular and aroused keen interest in this field in youth, which was the basis for the creation of a highly qualified and powerful geological school in our country. According to the decision of the head of the department, prospective students were actively involved in the work of the department. Among the teachers of the new wave, the dedicated and impeccable work of T. Avaliani, who started as a laboratory assistant at the department (1933-1987, docent), should be especially noted.
In the first days of its existence (before 1940), the cathedra belonged to the Faculty of Geography and Geology of Tbilisi State University. From that time, a business, close and friendly relationship was established between the teachers and students of the university and the industrial institute. Joint educational practices and excursions were often organized, students worked in scientific circles. In this period, the teaching equipment of the department started to be provided. A collection of crystal glass models of the "Krantz" company, as well as several polarizing microscopes and a Fedorov table, were purchased for educational purposes.
In 1940, the directorate of the industrial institute handed over the area (4 rooms) in the building located on U. Chkheidze street to the department, where the foundation was laid for the autonomous existence and functioning of proper laboratories and the educational museum.
In 1948 Al. Tvatchrelidze was forced to leave the cathedra of the Polytechnic Institute due to overcrowding (in addition to the cathedra of the Polytechnic Institute, he headed a similar cathedra at Tbilisi State University, was the director of the Institute of Mineral Raw Materials of the Caucasus and actively participated in the Academy of Sciences of Georgia). The directorate of the institute invited Al. Tvatchrelidze’s student, educated at the same department, Doctor of Geology-Mineralogy, Professor Giorgi Zaridze.
Giorgi Zaridze headed the department in 1948-1960 and 1974-1978.
At that time, the composition of the department changed significantly. In 1948, Tamar Kazakhashvili (to teach the petrography course of sedimentary rocks), who was previously the head of the department of mineralogy and petrography of the Caucasus Institute of Mineral Resources, and Giorgi Kharashvili (to teach the courses of crystallography and mineralogy), who previously worked at the production department for the exploration of non-ferrous metal deposits of Georgia, were invited to the cathedra. He worked as a chief. E. Javakhishvili (1949-52), O. Nadareishvili (1950-57) and I. Kiknadze worked as assistants next to these experienced geologists. Of the old employees of the department, only the assistant T. Avaliani remained, and the following worked as laboratory assistants: V. Nizharadze (since 1952), J. Tskitishvili (since 1951), I. Paradashvili (since 1953), K. Madaova, O. Karosanidze, A. Korinteli, T. Gotsiridze, and factory foreman Z. Enageli.
In 1955, the construction of the new mining building in Saburtalo was completed and the department moved to the building where the Mining and Geological Faculty is currently located. This gave the department a real opportunity to build new laboratories and expand the existing mineralogy and petrography museum expositions. From this year, the further growth of the department and the creation of a new material base began under the leadership of Professor G. Zaridze. Many specialists defended their thesis under his guidance, while he himself worked intensively to study the issues of genesis of metamorphic rocks and granitoids, endogenous rocks, formational classification and regional petrography. In 1963, Professor G. Zaridze was awarded the title of Honored Scientist of Georgia, in 1967 he was elected a corresponding member of the Georgian Academy of Sciences, and in 1973 he became a laureate of the State Prize. It should be noted that Giorgi Zaridze headed the Polytechnic Institute of Georgia in 1952-56, was its director (currently rector). His work was very fruitful - during this period, the institute achieved notable successes in both educational and scientific fields. At the same time, exemplary order was established in the institute.
In 1960-1974, the cathedra was headed by Prof. G. Kharashvili (who, in 1967-1979, concurrently headed the scientific-research department of the institute). In this period as well, the achievements of the department are important both in the teaching-methodical and scientific direction, several manuals and methodical references were published in Georgian. It is worth mentioning the investigation of the structural features of the ore field of the polymetallic colchedan deposit of Madneuli. The sequence of metasomatic processes of ore-bearing and ore-bearing rocks was determined. The results of the study of the ore deposit were used for the purpose of further study of the deposit, specification of the reserve and the solution of other issues. These studies are not only of practical, but also of great scientific importance. Along with this, Caucasian copper-pyrrotine melts and other metallogenic issues were studied.
In 1978-1998, the cathedra was headed by academician, doctor of geological-mineralogical sciences, professor D. Shengelia, whose scientific interests are mainly determined by the thermodynamic mode of metamorphism and the genesis of granitoids.
Davit Shengelia significantly contributed to the equipping of the scientific-technical base of the department with modern equipment and the preparation of candidate and doctoral theses of the department's young employees and post-graduate students. At this time, the material and technical base of the department is especially enriched, teaching and scientific laboratories are functioning at the department: 1. crystallography and mineralogy; 2. petrography of igneous rocks; 3. Lithology; 4. Petrochemistry; 5. Physical-chemical methods; 6. Sharpener-workshop.
During this period, the main direction of scientific research of the department was the petromineralogical issues of metamorphic and magmatic formations. Professors of the department are still engaged in fruitful scientific work here: D. Shengelia, G. Kharashvili, G. Zaridze; Docents: T. Kazakhashvili, T. Avaliani, I. Faradashvili, I. Mgaloblishvili, R. Kakhadze, N. Foforadze, I. Akhvlediani, T. Tsutsunava, a. Dolakidze, T. Butulashvili, museum manager O. Seskuria, laboratory assistants N. Ikoshvili, N. Adeishvili and others.
More than 300 works of the members of the department have been published in republican, union and foreign special magazines. In 1992, the employees of the department of mineralogy, petrology and geochemistry for the monograph - "Petrology of metamorphic complexes of the Caucasus" were awarded by Al. Janelidze Prize.
Student exchange practices in Czechoslovakia
In 1985, under the leadership of Academician G. Zaridze and the support of Professor D. Shengelia, the scientific research center "Republican Center for Spectrometry and Mineral Substances Research" (currently "Republican Center for Research, Diagnostics and Processing of Gemology and Mineral Substances") was established on the basis of the Department of Mineralogy, Petrology and Geochemistry. It was equipped with tools and equipment unique for that time.
In 1998-2005, the department was headed by Professor N. Poporadze, Doctor of Geology-Mineralogy, whose scientific interests are solid-phase transformations of silicates, precious and semi-precious stones (gemology), precious metals and geoarchaeology.
Nodar Poporadze significantly contributed to the development of the gemological direction and equipping the department with appropriate equipment. A powerful "learning-production base for research, diagnosis and processing of mineral substances" was created at the department, where students will raise their professional level.
The Department of Geology and Paleontology was established in 1924. The first governor of the department was the founder of the Georgian Geological School, academician A. Janelidze (1924-1941).
Subsequently, the cathedra was headed by: prominent Georgian scientist-paleobiologist Acad. L. Davitashvili (1941-1946),
Prof. G. Kharatishvili (1946-1981),
From 1981 to 2005, Professor T. Lominadze. Scientists-geologists worked here in different years and are still working here: A. Tsagareli, L. Gabunia, A. Laliev, M. Uznadze, M. Kacharava, G. Gujabidze, N. Kuchuloria, M. Sharikadze, A. Kvernadze, G. Goliashvili, I. Kvantaliani, Z. Mengashvili, S. Keleptrishvili, I. Tsereteli, Kh. Mikadze, I. Kokolashvili et al. The main study disciplines are: "General Geology", "Historical Geology", "Regional Geology", "Paleontology", "Geomorphology", "Quaternary Geology". Many manuals and guidelines have been created by the staff, including: G. Kharatishvili "Historical Geology" (1974), G. Gujabidze "General Geology" (1976), L. Davitashvili "A short course of paleontology" (translator - N. Kuchuloria, 1985), N. Kuchuloria "A short course of paleontology" (1989), A. Kvernadze, Sh. Keleptrishvili "Geomorphology and Quaternary Geology" (1997), M. Sharikadze, Sh. Keleptrishvili "General Geology Laboratory Course". The following subjects are taught in the master's degree: Geology Basics, Paleontology Special Course, Caucasus Geology, Geology of Georgia, Paleoecology and Taphonomy, Stratigraphic Research Methods (Biostratigraphy), Facies Analysis, Paleogeography. Scientific-research work is carried out in two directions: a) biostratigraphy of Mesozoic-Cenozoic sediments of the Caucasus and bordering regions and b) paleobiology of cephalopod molluscs. In this regard, there are also visible achievements, which were reflected in the works published here and abroad (15 monographs and about 400 scientific articles). Electron microscopy plays a leading role in modern paleontological-stratigraphic studies, which allows studying the internal structures of fossilized animal skeletons. Based on this type of research, the staff of the department determined the phylogenetic relationships of Mesozoic cephalopods and created their new systematics. To date, many groups of Jurassic and Cretaceous ammonoids and belemnoids have been monographically studied. The conducted research contributed to the detailed biostratigraphic division of the Mesozoic sediments of the southern part of Europe. Stratigraphic schemes have been compiled, which are of great importance for both scientific and practical activities.
In 1954, in order to educate the cadres of hydrogeologists and engineer-geologists and to conduct fundamental scientific research in this direction, the Department of Hydrogeology and Engineering Geology was established in 1954 at the Mining Faculty of the Polytechnic Institute of Georgia, under the initiative of Professor Ioseb Buachidze, a prominent scientist, member-correspondent of the Georgian Academy of Sciences, to create a school of engineering geology. Mr. Ioseb Buachidze headed the Department of Hydrogeology and Engineering Geology for 20 years.
Ioseb Buachidze was the rector of the Polytechnic Institute in 1959-1973. Later, the department was headed by his own teachers.
Devi Chkheidze (1974-1991), Lia Varazashvili (1991-2001), Omar Kutsnashvili (2001-2003) and Ucha Zviadadze (2003-2015). From the first days of the establishment of the Department of Hydrogeology and Engineering Geology, the following professors supported Mr. Ioseb Buachidze and in the following decades worked in the education of many generations of hydrogeologists and engineer-geologists: Gulnara Kartvelishvili, Olia Menteshashvili, Ioseb Tughushi, Giorgi Japaridze, Anatoli Nadareishvili, Lia Varazashvili, Devi Chkheidze, Vazha Chumburidze, Tamaz Lortkifanidze, Ucha Zviadadze, Merab Lapiashvili, Berdi Zautashvili, Tamaz Jikia, Davit Rogava, Irakli Lominadze, Zurab Varazashvili.
The contribution of Ioseb Tughushi, docent of the department, gifted with musical talent, engineer-geologist and great artist, to the development of the artistic creativity of the Polytechnic Institute is important: he laid the foundations of the stage orchestra and was its constant leader for ten years.
Since the 50s of the 20th century, for the purpose of economic reconstruction of the country, the research and search for deposits of fresh drinking, mineral and industrial waters, as well as the construction of hydrotechnical, transport, civil and industrial facilities, have been carried out on a large scale. The country was faced with the necessity of prospecting and exploitation of deposits, development of various construction projects and their implementation at the appropriate level, which, in turn, was caused by the provision of qualified personnel in the relevant fields - hydrogeologists, engineer-geologists, hydrotechnicians and builders.
The first graduation of the Department of Hydrogeology and Engineering Geology (24 specialists) took place in 1960. According to the archival data of GTU, from its establishment until 2023, the department produced more than a thousand specialists.
Along with fruitful teaching-methodical work, the departments carried out scientific work with both budgetary and economic funding.
Dean of the Faculty of Geology Vazha Chumburidze with the staff and students of the Department of Hydrogeology and Engineering Geology
The great scientific-research and production-practical activity performed by the employees of the departments during the century is indicated by more than 2000 scientific and methodical literatures published by them, participation in international and local scale scientific projects, grants. At the initiative of the departments, many scientific conferences, debates, symposiums have been held, both of local, union and international significance. Over the years, many Ph.D. candidate and Ph.D. degrees have been awarded in Geology. Scientific topics concern almost all geological directions.
In the last ten years, the professors-teachers and scientific staff of the Department of Applied Geology have published more than 50 textbooks, auxiliary manuals, methodical reference, students' study - field practice guide corresponding to modern requirements. Accordingly, textbooks in almost all subjects of "geology" educational bachelor's, master's and doctoral programs are in Georgian.
In the last ten years, student practice guides, monographs and several hundred scientific articles have been published. There are textbooks in Georgian language in almost all subjects of "geology" educational bachelor's, master's and doctoral programs.
Monograph and several dozen scientific articles. Monographs, including: petrology of metamorphic complexes of the Caucasus; G. Zaridze - petrology (in Russian and Georgian languages), G. Zaridze - a brief history of the development of geological oil burials in Georgia, 1997; N. Foforadze - precious and semi-precious stones 1998; G. Odikadze - Granitoids of the Caucasus 1998; G. Zaridze - Geological aspects of modern petrology and volcanology, 2001; Metamorphic facies map of the central crystalline foundation of the Caucasus (1:200000) 1997; Map of metamorphic formations of the central crystalline foundation of the Caucasus (1:200000) 1999. In 2005, Prof. N. Foforadze's two textbooks "Jewelry Case" and "Jewelry and Gemstones".
"Mineralology and Petrography", "Geology and Paleontology" and "Useful Minerals" museums have been operating successfully for 70 years at the Faculty of Mining and Geology of the Georgian Technical University.
The geological material in the museums is represented by samples of famous and sometimes unique minerals, rocks, ores and fossil organisms collected by many generations of Georgian geologists from different regions of Georgia and the world, which are distinguished by their originality, variety and representativeness and are not equal to the exhibits preserved in the museums of advanced countries.
Museum of Geology and Paleontology
The Museum of Geology and Paleontology named after Prof. G. Kharatishvili was established in the 50s of the last century. It is one of the best among similar museums in the post-Soviet space. The head of the department, Prof. Giorgi Kharatishvili, was the initiator and head of the creation of the museum. Prof. Neli Kuchuloria made a significant contribution in this matter, thanks to whose erudition, professionalism and hard work, the museum received a systematized, finished look.
The material was collected mainly during the field work and educational-geological practices of the employees of the Department of Geology and Paleontology, not only on the territory of Georgia, but also in various geologically interesting regions of the former Soviet Union (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Central Asia, Urals, Siberia, Baltic Sea, Russian Plain, Ukraine, Crimea, North Caucasus, etc.). The museum expanded along with the collection of material, which was properly checked, processed, gradually improved and enriched. In this way, a unique educational museum was created, where the main thematic material exhibited reflects the history of the structure and development of the Earth, geodynamic processes and the organic world of the past. The museum has rich funds that have great scientific and educational value. Thousands of rock, fossil and mineral samples are stored in its warehouses.
The exhibits of the museum, according to the theme, are placed in three spacious halls. The museum contributes to conducting the educational process at a high level, as well as to the correct orientation of students and young people.
In this regard, the panels, models, mock-ups of fossil organisms, images of reconstructions of past geological eras, portraits of prominent scientists, schemes of old landscapes, maps, explanatory texts, which are placed in the museum, made by P. Petrov, a multifaceted person born in Tbilisi, are especially noteworthy. It helps in absorption. The material presented in the museum vividly reflects the history of the earth's crust and the development of life. The viewer is easily convinced of what kind of grand geological processes were and are acting on our planet and how much time has passed since the origin of the earth and the first simple organisms, that everything in nature appears, develops and changes regularly. Everything is in motion, develops, dies and gives way to something new.
Museum of Mineralogy and Petrography
The Museum of Mineralogy and Petrography was founded in 1940, in the building of the Tbilisi Industrial Institute (on Chkheidze Street), the museum was located in one room, where mineral collections were displayed in eight small showcases. During that period, beautiful educational collections of various purposes were acquired (Krantz, Rosenbusch, Rines, Girschwald, Smith, etc.). Over the years, the collection of minerals and rocks of the Museum of Mineralogy and Petrography named after academician Alexander Tvaltchrelidze was replenished, mainly centrally (by subscription) from special geological expeditions. Also, many samples have been donated by former students of the university who worked at famous deposits in different countries.
The museum is systematically filled with new samples and exhibits during the field expeditions of the department's staff and students' educational geological practices, and currently it has three spacious halls. A certain part of the samples is used for completing master's and doctoral theses.
Minerals Museum.
The Educational-Scientific Museum of Minerals named after Professor Kalistrate Gabunia was founded in the 20s of the 20th century, together with the establishment of the Department of Applied Geology. Currently, the museum is located on the fourth floor of the Faculty of Mining and Geology of the Technical University of Georgia (3rd Building) and occupies an area of 240 sq/m. It consists of two exhibition halls. The museum was replenished with exhibits from various deposits of the former Soviet Union and other countries of the world, and well-documented samples collected during contract fieldwork.
Currently, more than 5000 specimens collected in the museum are not only for cognitive and educational purposes, but also a significant part of them is of a scientific nature. Among the exhibits of the museum are well-ranked and geologically systematized educational and research collections of almost all deposits and deposits of Georgia.
In 2001-2002, the museum participated in the exhibition "Georgia: Treasures from the Land of the Golden Fleece" held in Germany under the auspices of the Presidents of Georgia and Germany. Materials related to this exhibition are presented in the catalog published in Germany. In the showcases of the first hall, reference samples of rocks, ores and minerals typical for magmatic, pegmatitic, greisen, skarn and hydrothermal processes from Georgia and other countries of the world are placed. There are geological formations related to the processes of depletion, sedimentation and infiltration. A special place is occupied by the samples ranked according to the complete geological cut of the world-known metamorphogenic iron deposits - Kursk magnetic anomaly and Krivoirog. In the same hall there are classified samples of skarn and sedimentary iron ores. All of the listed showcases contain samples of educational or scientific importance. More than 100 processed samples of Georgian paving stones of different sizes are exhibited separately. In the second hall, samples from deposits and deposits of Georgia are collected. Scientifically systematized, both expositional and educational and research exhibits are placed here. Visible models of Madneuli ore quarry and Zofhito antimony deposit are exhibited here. Dozens of specimens are stored in the museum's storage, which can be used for both educational and scientific purposes.
Museums widely promote not only existing knowledge about minerals, rocks, ores and fossil organisms, but also provide collectors and many interested parties with comprehensive information about prominent geological exhibits of national and world importance. In addition to the educational and scientific process, they are intensively involved in the operation of the "Saturday school", which helps schoolchildren to expand their knowledge and professional orientation. The teaching course in "Saturday School" aims to interest students in geological processes and events in order to go beyond the framework of textbooks, which will expand and enrich the basic knowledge of the school program. The "Saturday School" program includes lectures, excursions and conversations about the history of the origin, structure and development of the earth, various processes taking place in it, including earthquakes and volcanism, the material composition of the earth's crust, the characteristics of rocks and minerals as building and paving materials, and their About the fields of use, jewelry and semi-precious stones, minerals, as wonders of nature, as well as the history of the development of the animal and plant world.
In the museums, along with practical training, thematic excursions, seminars, competitive conferences, discussions, video screenings are periodically organized for students and students-youth. Pupils and young people are frequent visitors of the museum, the great success of which is clearly shown by the entries in the impression books. In recent years, several new exhibits have been added to the museums. Collections were brought into the system and refreshed, monographic sections were also created.
Currently, there are eight large halls in the common space of museums, which are constantly updated, supplemented and checked. About 15,000 specimens are displayed in the museum's showcases, which are divided thematically. The museum owns a rich fund, which has great educational and scientific value. More than 20,000 samples of minerals, rocks, ores, fossil organisms and thematic collections are kept in the storages.
An international field geological camp, based on the experience of student practices conducted over the years in the Bolnisi and Kazbegi regions, is starting to operate near the museums. Providing camp work will greatly contribute to the rapprochement between us and foreign students and, most importantly, will help them to deepen their knowledge.
Little visitors to our museums
Museum of Geology and Paleontology
Colorful bilingual brochures of museums have been published. The museums are included in the guide of the city museums compiled by the Tbilisi City Hall, which promotes their awareness.
The primary purpose of museums is to provide students of the mining and geological faculty with visual material and research samples, which is why museums are actively involved in the educational and scientific process. Small thematic collections have been created for laboratory teaching, samples of typical minerals, rocks, ores have been selected for laboratory research of physical and chemical properties. All this helps to develop scientific and practical skills of students.
It should be noted that in 2022 the Mineralogy and Petrography Museum at the Faculty of Mining and Geology joined the International Museum Association (The Society of Mineral Museum Professionals (SMMP), which will allow us to cooperate with mineralogy museums of different countries around the world, to participate in international forums and exhibitions.
Bilateral cooperation with the Swedish Museum of Natural History has been started. On May 20 of this year, the Embassy of Georgia (presented to the director of the museum, Lisa Monshon by the Ambassador of Georgia to Sweden, Irakli Khutsurauli) with the help of the Museum of Mineralogy and Petrography of the Faculty of Mining and Geology of the Georgia Technical University, handed over to the Swedish Museum of Natural History the samples of minerals found in Georgia, which were placed in the mineral exhibition hall of the museum. Prospects and possibilities of bilateral cooperation in the scientific field were discussed.
The Embassy of Georgia continues to promote the deepening of connections and relations in the educational and scientific direction.
The "Republican Center for Research, Diagnostics and Processing of Gemology and Mineral Substances" named after Academician Giorgi Zaridze has been operating successfully for 45 years at the Georgian Technical University, and its (SST ISO/IEC 17025:2017/2018) testing laboratory (GAC-TL-0198) is accredited in 12 areas: 1. Alloys containing precious, non-ferrous and ferrous metals, 2. Non-metallic materials containing precious metals, 3. Ores and concentrates containing gold, 4. Precious (jewelry) and precious minerals (stones), 5. Igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks, 6. Determination of the chemical composition of soils, 7. Ceramics, 8. Paint products, artistic paints, 9. Plasticine, 10. Plastic toys, 11. Plastics and their products, polymer products, 12. Inorganic waste (geological, metallurgical, mining, construction). Of these, we have 34 tested products and 82 research parameters with ISO or EA standards (https://www.gac.gov.ge/ka/accredited-bodies/16). The sector covers many fields. Only one laboratory in Georgia has such a number of test parameters. The laboratory has been adding new accredited fields over the years. In 2019-2020, new areas were added to the accreditation areas of the GMNKDGR Center's testing laboratory: waste, plastics, paints, plastic toys. In the future, it is planned to expand the scope of accreditation in the following directions: 1. simplified chemical analysis of water, 2. determination of physical-mechanical parameters of rocks and soils. Leading mineralogists, petrographers, gemologists, ore specialists, hydrogeologists, geo-ecologists, chemists, metallurgists and others perform expert-diagnostic, scientific research, projects, grants in the GMNKDGR center. It is worth noting the inclusion of students in jobs that receive appropriate remuneration.
The laboratory is equipped with several outdated tools - atomic absorption analyzer (AAS-30), spectrophotometer (SPECORD 40), micro-X-ray spectrum analyzer (CAMEBAX MICROBEAM), X-ray structural analyzer (DRON-3), rock and instruments for measuring the physical and mechanical properties of soils, binoculars (MB-10), as well as modern equipment corresponding to international requirements have been purchased in the last five years: Polarizing microscopes (AMSCOPE PZ 300T, AMSCOPE PZ 600T, POLAM-312) and reflected light microscope (MP-3), X-ray fluorescence analyzer (EDX3600B), gemological microscopes (GEMORO (superior instrument), gemological tools (testers - Presidium multiteste and Presidium Diamond Mate-A, leverages PRESIDIUM Electronic Gemstone Gauge, refractometer РГ-1, magnifier triplets, color standards, gold test analytical scales (Sartorus, Metler, RADWAG) with density measuring attachment, needles), chemical vessels and chemical reagents, standards, standards, field equipment, GPS navigators, flying machine - Phantom 4Pro, computers, projectors, plotter, special computer programs, tools and equipment for processing stones and others.
More than 30 contractual topics are completed annually at the center. The performed works have great theoretical and practical value, which are highly relevant, important and valuable.
Environmental, geological, mineralogical-petrographic, engineering-geological, hydrogeological projects, grants and contractual works are worth mentioning among the works performed over the years.
Research often involves close cooperation with the National Museum of Georgia, with the aim of in-depth study of interesting and sometimes unique monuments preserved in the treasury. In particular, as clearly as possible, we presented the quantity of minerals, their origin and processing technology of ancient monuments and various artifacts.
We often deal with valuable monuments of world importance from the point of view of cultural heritage. Therefore, during the research, a methodology was used that would exclude any kind of destruction of the exhibits to be studied. Therefore, studies were carried out with such equipment as non-destructive X-ray fluorescence analyzers, polarizing microscope, genomic microscope, X-ray phase analyzer, duotesters and others. It is worth noting the important projects carried out in the center such as: "Mineralogical-lithological examination of the building material of Grakliani Gori and the artifacts found there"; "Complex investigation of the building rocks of the Vardzia monastery complex and the processes taking place there"; "Great Mtskheta Museum - study of the chemical composition of the gold items kept in the reserve"; "A complex study of old and new pitchers, the raw materials used for their production and the technology of making pitchers"; "Research on mineralogical features of Georgian-Byzantine partition enamel"; "Investigation of the mineral composition of the archaeological finds of Georgia"; "Assessment of the stability of slopes of Madneuli and Sakdrisi reservoirs and planning of water channels"; "Study of the resource potential of leaching residues (quartzites) at the mass leaching sites of the Madneuli and Sakdrisi production areas and the possibilities of their use". GMNKDGR Center is involved in the educational process, conducting laboratory and practical works of many educational courses; Its material technical base is used by students of all three levels of the faculties of mining-geology, chemical technology and metallurgy, engineering economy, media technology and social sciences, who use the analyzes (researches) performed in the center in the performance of scientific conferences, bachelor's, master's and doctoral theses. On the basis of the works performed at the Center of the National Center for the Study of the Natural Sciences, many master's and doctoral dissertations have been defended, reports have been prepared and monographs have been published. In addition to educational and scientific works, practical work is carried out in the center, in particular, the production of products: for jewelry and semi-precious stones a) matching of jewelry stones, obtaining any shape for colored stones, ბ) სანახელავო ქვების დამუშავება (სხვადასხვა ზომისა და ფორმის კაბოშონები), production of precious metals testing stones (quarried shale); c) making collections of different purposes from minerals and rocks of Georgia; e) Processing of collections to be placed in museum showcases.
Scientific conferences
The professors and teachers of the Department of Applied Geology have systematically participated in local, union and international seminars, conferences, symposia and other scientific events since the establishment of the university.
It should be noted that since 2015, an international scientific-practical conference has been held every year under the organization of the Georgian Technical University and the Mineralogical Society of Georgia - "The strength of the field of geology is a prerequisite for the revival of the economy". In which, in addition to the employees of the Department of Applied Geology, students of the department, professors and teachers of various universities, state and private structures of the mining and geological profile and employees of the National Environmental Agency participated. More than 250 reports were made at the conferences, which covered almost all branches of geology, including, it is worth noting, modern issues of mineralogy and petrology, tectonics, engineering-geological, hydrogeological, environmental, drinking and technical water supply, mineral resources and development of mining enterprises under market conditions, etc.
Certificates were awarded to the participants of the conference.
Scientific-practical conference held in 2018
At the international scientific-practical conference held in 2018, the motto was changed and became "Development of mining and geology is a prerequisite for the revival of the economy".
Scientific-practical conference held in 2019
Organized by the Mineralogical Society of Georgia, Georgian Technical University and Grigol Tsulukidze Mining Institute, an international scientific-practical conference was held online in 2020 and 2021
According to the plan, the main issues of the 9th International Scientific-Practical Conference scheduled for September 2024 in GAIA will be devoted to the problems of geology and mining, updating the legislation on minerals, development of the education system, metallic, non-metallic and water resources, environmental issues.
Defense of master theses
An open student conference is held every year in the month of May-June at the Georgian Technical University.
The conference topics prepared by the students will concern the issues of mineralogy, mineral deposits, geoecology, engineering geology and hydrogeology.
Student conferences
Scientific events
Ecological, geological, mineralogical-petrographic, engineering-geological, hydrogeological, stratigraphic-paleontological projects, grants and contractual works are worth mentioning among the scientific-research works performed over the years.
Scientific events
Employees and students of the Department of Applied Geology, along with the educational process, are actively engaged in scientific and practical activities. For example, on June 13-14, 2015, the students and professors of the Department of Applied Geology visited the area of the landslide to study the causes of the tragedy in the Vere River valley. Also, on June 19, 2015, a working meeting of geologists (engineer-geologists, hydrogeologists, lithologists, stratigraphers, mineralogists) organized by the Department of Applied Geology of the Georgian Technical University was held in the conference hall of the administrative building of the Technical University of Georgia, which was dedicated to the river. The recent natural events in the Vere Valley and in general in Georgia, as well as the current situation and problems in the field of geology in general.
The employees of the Department of Applied Geology were involved in the research work of the Vardzia monastic complex, in particular, in the study of the physical-mechanical properties and geochemical characteristics of the Vardzia volcanic rocks.
With the active participation of the Department of Applied Geology, information has been researched and prepared for granting the status of protected areas and natural monuments, among them the "nature monument" - Goderdzi Fossil Forest.
We highlight some scientific-research works:
Employees of the department carried out their scientific activity assessment (comparison) by defending the thesis papers. Dissertations were defended differently in different periods.
From the 1950s to 1972, the Faculty of Geology had a Dissertation Board, whose decision was approved by the then Union Attestation Commission. In the following years, until 2000, the defense of theses was not carried out at the Faculty of Mining and Geology, and the defense of theses was carried out at the Institute of Geology or the Institute of Mineral Raw Materials of the Caucasus. From 2000 to 2020, a Faculty Dissertation Board functioned at the Faculty, and theses defenses were carried out by Dissertation Boards made up of invited specialists included in the Dissertation Board.
In 2020-2022, the Geology University Dissertation Board was functioning.
Preliminary defense at the extended meeting of the Department of Applied Geology.
Many Ph.D. academic degrees in geology are held. In the last five years, 25 master's and 10 doctoral theses in the field of geology have been defended. It is difficult to prepare a doctoral thesis in the field of geology in three years if there is no adequate funding for fieldwork and proper analysis. It is welcome that there are grants and with the funding of Rustaveli and other foundations, our doctoral students carry out field and laboratory work.
Scientific grants funded by the National Science Foundation of Georgia in 2009-2019:
Memoranda
For the purpose of joint activities and cooperation, memoranda have been signed with the state or private structures of the geological profile:
"Caucasus Mining Group" LLC;
Prospectives
In recent years, taking into account the recommendations and requirements of most of the potential employers of the mining-geological profile in the Georgian market, in addition to modifying the training programs in line with international requirements, the agenda has been to retool the material-technical base of the training and scientific laboratories of the Faculty of Mining and Geology of the Georgian Technical University to meet modern standards. The need to implement tools and modern research methods in the teaching and research process. All this helps us to train highly qualified specialists who meet the requirements of the modern market, who will be able to freely work in a competitive environment both within the country and abroad.
We are planning to develop tools and equipment (atomic absorption analyzer - Atomic Absorption (AAS) - contrAA® 800 G, equipment for research of physical and mechanical properties of rocks and soils - Equipment for research) with wide capabilities corresponding to modern international standards rocks and soil physical-mechanical properties, X-ray diffraction analyzer - X-ray diffraction D 2 PHAZER, X-ray fluorescence spectrometer S8 TIGER 1 or S2 PUMA, gas chromatograph and others - Gas Chromatograph, Rheometer, Viscometer, Density Meter, Penetrometer , microscopes). Laboratories renovated in this way - (a) of hydrogeology and hydrogeochemistry; b) engineering geology; c) oil and gas geochemistry: d) research on the material composition of rocks, ores and concentrates) will be allowed to undergo international (ISO 17025 standard) accreditation in an additional field. Accordingly, the analyzes performed in the laboratories will have international recognition and reliability, which will allow the employees of our university, in accordance with international standards, to make the most of their rich practical experience and theoretical knowledge for the implementation of international and local projects, grants, expert-diagnostic and contractual topics. All the more so that the results of mining and geological works previously carried out on the territory of Georgia, the data of laboratory analyzes need to be clarified and revised. In many cases, the study, planning and prospecting of solid minerals, oil and water deposits and ore occurrences are underway again, because in the Soviet period, their study and approval of reserves was carried out according to the norms, technical characteristics and standards corresponding to the country's scale at that time, due to which the majority of ore occurrences in Georgia were considered non-standard and It was not worked, however, under the conditions of Georgia's independent existence, most of these deposits and mineral deposits are promising.
The necessary equipment for geological field work, the necessary equipment for the physical parameters of engineering geology, are financed.
A project implemented by the Karsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) (DAAD-SDG and DAMAST -Transfer 2021-2024) in 2021, one PhD candidate, two students underwent an internship in Germany. On the initiative of the "Global Initiative for Disaster Risk Management" (GIDRM) project of the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ), we were given tools and equipment, and 8 students of our department were given a one-week internship on field and laboratory work. This year, in Racha, it is planned to participate in field work and the process of installation of monitoring and NNN equipment in the risk-bearing area. Project implemented by the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT – Karlsruhe Institute of Technology) (DAAD-SDG and DAMAST -Transfer 2022-2024) in 2021 one PhD student, one student in Germany, in September 2022 4 students on internship at Enguri HPP, in October four students, one PhD student Anzor Giorgadze in Germany.
In recent years, the electronic computer equipment available at the faculty has been replenished, a few years ago with the financing of the RMG Group, the "Mining and Geological Technologies Center" for studying modern computer programs was created. This is a space where students and young specialists learn modern information programs.
Special (GIS, Datamine) programs can be purchased, with the help of which bachelors, masters and doctoral students will master the computer drawing of geological maps, sections and graphs using modern special computer programs, will be able to calculate reserves, model geological processes, etc. This will help to carry out the laboratory and practical work provided by the training programs with modern methods, to provide electronic versions of the lecture courses, and to introduce a larger volume of electronic learning forms.
Practical work
With the funding of the faculty and the self-financing center of the State University of Medical Sciences, two student internships are held every year. In the summer, second-year students undergo field-geological practice for two to three weeks in Kazreti district, at the base of the Geological Institute of GSU (according to the memorandum). During the practice, they get acquainted with the geology of the Bolnisi region and learn the basics of field geology, take stone material, which they process in our laboratories, and report the results of the research at student scientific conferences, thus acquiring the skills of scientific and research work.
After completing the practice, four excellent students, according to the memorandum, remain as interns at RMG GOLD Ltd. and RMG Copper JSC (in Madneuli) for deep understanding and assimilation of geological, ecological and technological processes.
At the same time, first-year undergraduate students undergo a one-week general geological practice in Tbilisi, where they get to know the geological structure of the district, geodynamic processes, methods of construction and correlation of geological sections, and acquire the skills of conducting field work.
Geological practice in the township of Kazreti
Third-year students undergo field-geological practice in the summer in Kazbegi municipality to familiarize themselves with the features of geological structures, here they study the material composition of common rocks and master the methods of field-geological research.
Practice in Kazbegi district
Bilingual student practice guides are published.
In addition to planned practices, one-day or two-day thematic practices are conducted whenever possible.
Each internship report is posted on the Department of Applied Geology website.
Two-day practice in Shatil
Two-day practice in Shatili
Preparations are underway to organize an international geological camp. Negotiations have started with several foreign universities to organize a joint international field-geological camp in Bolnisi and Kazbegi regions.
In order to jointly conduct field-geological practices, preconditions are also being prepared for the joint practice of foreign and Georgian students in the territory of the Goderdzki Fossil Forest.
The organization of an international field-geological camp and its proper provision (as it was in the 80s of the last century) will greatly contribute to the relationship between us and foreign students and, most importantly, to develop professional skills and increase academic knowledge.