Academic Department No. 501 of Mechanical Engineering and Industrial Technologies was established in 2023 as a result of merging two structural units – the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Technologies, and the Department of Industrial Engineering and Technology. The department unites nearly a century-long tradition of engineering education in Georgia and represents one of the most significant academic centers for the development of this field.
The “Mechanical Engineering and Technologies” Department incorporated the Chairs of Machine-Building Technology and Metal-Cutting Machinery, which had been operating since the founding of Georgia’s first engineering-technical school – the Georgian Polytechnic Institute (February 1922). Accordingly, the preparation of mechanical engineers in Georgia has a century-long history.
The formation and development of this scientific field is associated with numerous prominent Georgian scientists. Among them, Professors Giorgi Gedevanishvili and Giorgi Gotsiridze are noteworthy – two of the eleven distinguished scholars who laid the foundation for the development of Georgia’s engineering education system.
Professor Giorgi Gedevanishvili was appointed as the first head of the Chair.
From 1941 to 1949, the Chair was led by the distinguished scientist, specialist in machine-building and physics, Martin Kasiani, who later participated in the establishment of the Yerevan Polytechnic Institute. Afterward, Professor Giorgi Gedevanishvili resumed leadership of the Chair. From 1958 to 2000, the Chair was led by Academician of the Georgian Academy of Sciences, former Rector of GTU, Professor Teimuraz Loladze.
The “Industrial Engineering and Technology” Department functioned under the leadership of Professor Nia Natbiladze from 2011 to 2023. It included the fields of Printing and Light Industry, Forestry Technology, and Food Industry – each with a distinct and productive historical legacy.
The “Printing and Light Industry Technologies” Department had been operating at the Faculty of Transport Systems and Mechanical Engineering of the Georgian Technical University since 2012. It was formed through the unification of corresponding chairs. Many generations of scholars and researchers were trained in this department, including Doctors of Science and dozens of Candidates of Science, more than ten of whom were foreign researchers.
The Georgian scientific school in the field of machine-building is internationally recognized, with scientific works published in the United States, Great Britain, Japan, China, Poland, and the Czech Republic. More than ten monographs and over one hundred fundamental studies have been published in this field. The accumulated scientific potential and international cooperation provide a strong foundation for continuing research and developing new directions.
The formation of the “Forestry and Wood Processing” direction began in 1961, when the “Wood Processing Technology” Chair was established at the Georgian Technical University. The Chair was headed by Doctors of Technical Sciences, Professors Revaz Akhvlediani and Giorgi Jabuа. In 2011, this Chair was reorganized into the Forestry-Technical Department, headed by Professor Zaur Chitidze. The department is equipped with a modern laboratory base, featuring 30 machines, models, and 32 laboratory instruments, ensuring high-quality teaching and research processes.
The “Equipment for Food Industry Enterprises” Chair was established in 1946 at the Mechanical Faculty of the Georgian Industrial Institute. Its first head was Academician of the Georgian Academy of Sciences, Nikoloz Landia (1946–1959). From 1959 to 1990, the Chair was led by Professor Aleksandre Kakalashvili – Doctor of Technical Sciences, Honored Worker of Science and Technology of Georgia, and State Prize Laureate. From 1990 to 1997, the Chair was headed by Professor Nodar Zaldastanishvili, who ensured the integration of the Chair of Automation of Production Processes with this direction in 1996. Subsequently, the “Chair of Equipment for Food and Refrigeration Enterprises and Automation of Production Processes” was formed.
In 1998, Professor Tamaz Megrelidze, a member of the Georgian Engineering Academy, was elected as the head of the Chair. In 2007, it was incorporated into the newly established Machine-Building Department. During this period, the Food Industry direction was led by Professor Zurab Japaridze. In 2011, this Chair was reorganized into the Food Industry Department.
Academic Department No. 501 – “Mechanical Engineering and Industrial Technologies” – continues the traditions of its predecessor structures with dignity, ensuring high standards of teaching and research. The educational process is carried out at the following levels:
The department aims to contribute to the sustainable development of Georgia’s economy and to train specialists who meet international standards. The teaching process is based on a student-oriented approach and on the principles of continuous development and quality enhancement.
The academic staff is actively involved in the development of educational programs, improvement of syllabi, and introduction of modern teaching methods. The department continually updates teaching resources, textbooks, and methodological materials, ensuring the relevance of the educational content to technological progress and industrial needs.
The department integrates theoretical knowledge with practical experience, uniting engineering thinking, research, and innovation. It is precisely this synthesis that shapes the future generations of professionals who are prepared to successfully operate both in Georgia’s and the international industrial environment.
Contact Information
Khatuni Amkoladze – Head of Department
💧 68 M. Kostava St.; 1st Academic Building, Room 634
✉️ k.amkoladze@gtu.ge
Marine Kashibadze – Junior Specialist, 2nd Category
💧 68 M. Kostava St.; 1st Academic Building, Room 632