Students Hold Protest Rally at TSU

A part of students held a protest rally at the Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University (TSU) on March 7 against allocation of funds from the TSU budget for various events organized by the student self-government. A part of students also expressed protest against a chancellor candidate.

TSU Rector, Academician Vladimer Papava and several members of the TSU Academic Council met with protesters and answered their questions. Rector Papava called on the protesters for calmness and consensus.

“The issue of confrontation between the student self-government and so called other students is not new. It continues for years and the process of chancellor election has further intensified it. During the second selection, the Academic Council nominated a candidate, who was previously associated with the student self-government that triggered protests from other students. In my capacity as the Rector of TSU, I will try to ensure that the university keeps unity, avoids split and most importantly returns to the path of education and scientific research. Students have the right to express their protest in any form. The university is an open public space. As far as the Academic Council is concerned, all its members are independent. Institutionally, the Academic Council cannot make any decision at this stage. Members of the Academic Council decide themselves what steps to take and what to recommend. My steps are directed towards avoiding split at the university,” Rector Papava said.