On November 26 Rector of Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University, Academician Vladimer (Lado) Papava presented a report on his 100th day in office. Media representatives, TSU students, representatives of academic circles and administration attended the event. Lado Papava acquainted the audience with those changes and novelties, which were implemented during his tenure.
“Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University will be the first to share the experience of the world leading universities and from 2014 the Institute for Postdoctoral Studies will start functioning at TSU. 12 PhD degree holders selected through a competition will have an opportunity to get involved in the research though getting postdoctoral jobs,” Lado Papava said.
He said that in order to promote scientific research, two scientific forums dedicated to Ivane Javakhishvili’s memory will be held each April, which along with professors and researchers will enable the students of all three steps (bachelor, master and doctoral studies) to demonstrate their abilities. The authors of the best papers will be awarded with certificates and prizes. Moreover, for the first time, Ivane Javakhishvili International Scientific Prize will be awarded in April 2014 to foreign scientists for special contribution to the development of Kartvelian studies. The prize will be awarded once every two years.
Prizes have been introduced for the best lecturers named by BA students. TSU will award a number of Rector’s Scholarships to those students who demonstrate the highest academic excellence each semester.
Over the past 100 days the Rector’s Council of Advisors resumed its activities with a new composition. The editorial board will work over diversification of the TSU library and provision of educational literature with a new composition. The process of translation of new, modern textbooks has been launched. The 2014 budget will allocate over GEL 300 000 for translating educational literature. During the 100-day period 1305 textbooks were bought; the book fund digitization project is being developed currently.
TSU administration is actively working on renewal of laboratories. A multimedia center was opened at TSU for journalism students recently. It will help students develop relevant skills. New physics lab has been equipped. A laboratory of Georgian scripts is being created with the participation of TSU.
Over the past 100 days, certain amendments were made to the rules of holding a competition for obtaining academic positions and appealing against the competition results. Applicants will be able to use a simple appeal mechanism.
TSU is developing the administrative and wage reform planned to be implemented in 2014.
A Career Center will start functioning at TSU next year. Its key goal will be to bring business closer to TSU, in particular to increase student involvement in business activities.
TSU Rector continues active cooperation with governmental agencies. Lado Papava said that recently he offered the Government several initiatives, involving the possibilities for “full financing of PhD studies from the state budget; full budget financing of geography and geology directions, and maintenance of the buildings of scientific research institutes integrated into TSU. Simultaneously, the work is underway over making amendments to the law, according to which graduates will be qualified as teachers. TSU also deepens its cooperation with NGO and business sectors.”
And finally, several projects have been planned to highlight the history of Tbilisi State University. The auditoriums and monuments are being renovated. In the near future, Ioseb Kipshidze, co-founder of TSU, will be reburied to the University’s Pantheon. In autumn 2014 TSU will mark the 130th anniversary of Ioseb Kipshidze’s birth.
Academician Lado Papava was elected as Rector of Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University on August 16, 2013. Papava was elected with 10 votes among 13 registered candidates. During a press conference held on August 19, his first day at work, Papava promised to present his first 100 days report to the public.
