The history of teaching engineering graphics dates back to the origins of technical education in 1794, when the world’s first technical school - the École Polytechnique in France - was founded. Shortly thereafter, in 1798, the French scientist Gaspard Monge (1746 - 1818), the founder of descriptive geometry, published Descriptive Geometry, in which he systematically formulated the fundamental principles of the discipline and established descriptive geometry as a distinct scientific field.

Following the establishment of the Georgian Polytechnic Institute, the Georgian school of descriptive geometry and engineering graphics began to take shape. For several decades, it was led by an Honored Worker of Science and Technology, Professor Archil Gulisashvili (1930 - 1971).

From 1972 to 1977, the Department of Descriptive Geometry was headed by the Merited Scientist, Professor Irakli Japaridze.

In 1977, Anzor Shavgulidze was elected head of the Department of Descriptive Geometry and Engineering Graphics. Together with his colleagues, he worked tirelessly to modernize and advance the department’s educational and research infrastructure. During this period, machine graphics instruction — a pioneering initiative — was introduced through a collaborative effort between the “Algorithm” Scientific-Production Association and the Polytechnic Institute. A state-of-the-art laboratory complex for machine graphics, equipped with advanced technology, was established. Under Shavgulidze’s leadership, a national training center was created to enhance the pedagogical skills of instructors teaching graphic disciplines at higher education institutions.

In 2007, the Department of Descriptive Geometry and Engineering Graphics was renamed the Department of Engineering Graphics and Technical Mechanics.

From 2006 to 2007, Professor Natela Javakhishvili served as head of the Department of Engineering Graphics and Technical Mechanics. From 2011 to 2021, the department was led by Professor Ioseb Batsikadze, a member of the Georgian Academy of Education Sciences. Under his leadership, A. Shavgulidze Computer Center was established within the department in 2014.

In 2011, the Department of Machine Elements and Hoisting-Transport Machinery was incorporated into the department. This unit had originally been founded in 1959 by Professor O. Ezikashvili.

Since 1959, various distinguished scholars have worked in the Department of Machine Elements and Hoisting-Transport Machinery, including academicians of the Georgian Academy of Sciences, Georgian Engineering Academy, and international academies: M. Khvingia, I. Bakradze, K. Imedadze, D. Chelidze, B. Petriashvili.  Among its notable department heads and professors were D. Tavkhelidze, T. Mtchedlishvili, M. Shilakadze, and others.

From 1990, the department was led by academician of the Georgian Engineering Academy, Doctor of Technical Sciences, Professor R. Varsimashvili. In 2000, leadership passed to Professor Sh. Sabiashvili, followed by Professor G. Chelidze, who served as head from 2007 to 2011.

The Department of Theory of Mechanisms and Machines was established in 1950 at the Georgian Polytechnic Institute and was led until 1986 by academician David S. Tavkhelidze, the first Doctor of Technical Sciences (1946) and the first professor in Georgia specializing in the Theory of Mechanisms and Machines.

From 1987 to 2005, the Department of Theory of Mechanisms and Machines at the Georgian Technical University was headed by Doctor of Technical Sciences, Professor David D. Tavkhelidze. He is a member of the International Federation for the Theory of Mechanisms and Machines, an academician of the Georgian Engineering Academy, a corresponding member of the Georgian National Academy of Sciences, and an academician of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts. He has been awarded the Order of Honor and the Medal of Honor.

From 2005 to 2016, the department was chaired by Doctor of Technical Sciences, GTU Professor Vakhtang Gogilashvili, who participated in the experiment of launching the first Georgian space object - a large deployable reflector - into open space. He was awarded the Order of Honor in 1999.

Contact Information:

Nana Nozadze — Head of Department
💧 68 M. Kostava St., 1st Academic Building, Room 538
✉️ n.nozadze@gtu.ge

Manana Datuashvili — Junior Specialist, Second Category
💧 68 M. Kostava St., 1st Academic Building, Room 538