Georgian Minister of Education, Science and Youth Affairs Givi Mikanadze is meeting rectors and professors of Tbilisi State University (TSU) and Georgian Technical University (GTU).

The meeting focuses on education reform and the TSU and GTU unification.

As the Dean of the Energy Department at the Technical University, Professor Ketevan Kutateladze, told journalists, educational reforms can be implemented on the basis of existing institutions.

“I believe that educational reforms can be implemented on the basis of existing institutions. Engineering is a complex branch. We support the reform; we need assistance and development. However, this will be more efficient by maintaining the existing institution,” she said.

GTU Professor Manana Maghradze said she did not favour the idea of the two universities merging.

“If my position on unification were positive, I wouldn’t be here. I would urge the government to listen to its people, and if it hears our arguments, I think it will change its decision. I don’t advise the government to have many angry citizens,” she said.

Iago Kachkachishvili, TSU Professor of the Social and Political Sciences Department, believes the government punishes universities.

“A university is an organism that not only has the potential to influence society, but is also obligated to do so. Therefore, with this policy, the government punishes universities and declares them illegal, subordinate to the government. We should view the unification of the two universities in this context. This is a fundamental and brutal attack on their independence and autonomy. That is what I intend to say at the meeting,” he told reporters before the meeting.