Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili met with the students of the Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University (TSU) and discussed a number of interesting issues, from Georgia’s foreign policy course and human rights to new government’s achievements and planned reforms.
At the beginning of the meeting TSU Rector, Academician Vladimer Papava welcomed PM Garibashvili and noted that “the Georgian Prime Minister was a student of the Tbilisi State University nine years ago. After graduation he achieved career success. The example of his successful career is extremely hopeful for young people.”
“I studied here not so long ago. Let me confess that I am feeling a bit excited. You, the students, are the most active part of the society and a sense of justice, interest, critical thinking, lack of compromise is typical for you. I also graduated from TSU, and therefore, my visit to this university is especially emotional. I spent my best years in this building. My goal was to come to the university and tell you about the novelties in educational sphere,” PM Garibashvili told the students.
Speaking about the government’s education policy the Georgian Prime Minister said that the country needs a generation with modern knowledge, which will be competitive on the world market. “We are looking for the ways to ensure that you, our young people, have an opportunity to acquire such education; to increase access and quality of education; to help you undergo studies abroad, in the world’s leading universities, and use the knowledge and experience gained there in Georgia.”
In his opening remarks PM Garibashvili announced about the plans to launch an international education center, to build a university dorm in Tbilisi and recruit successful students in public service.
“The center will implement those projects, which were previously implemented by the Ministry of Education – the center will provide scholarships to students for their studies abroad,” the Prime Minister said. “In order to make education available for everyone, we decided to build a university dorm for students from socially vulnerable families from the provinces. The dorm will be equipped with all the basic needs and all necessary conditions will be created for the students to develop their skills. Parents should no more be afraid that their children will have no perspective to acquire education. Another novelty – successful students will have an opportunity to work in public service for six months. Interns will be recruited according to their academic performance. After successful internship, an intern will receive a relevant certificate.”
He called on the students to become more active on his Facebook page – special application “Idea of new generation to the Prime Minister” offers the youth a convenient means of communication with the Prime Minister.
During a question and answer session, PM Garibashvili spoke about a number of issues, including financing of doctoral and postdoctoral programs, promoting the activities of young researchers and scientists, maintaining and development of scientific-research institutes, Sakdrisi mine, Khudoni HPP project, his recent visit to the United States and foreign and economic perspectives.
By the end of the meeting TSU Rector Vladimer Papava said: “The Prime Minister demonstrated that he is open, he is not afraid of any questions; he also showed that he is an ordinary person and he can have a comprehensive answer to any question. People should see that today the government is led by the person, who is open and sincere in the relationship with students.” TSU Rector Vladimer Papava awarded the Georgian Prime Minister with the Medal of the Tbilisi State University.
