PM: Labor market analysis reveal 14 400 students should enrol in universities annually, alignment with market demands to occur gradually

“The labor market research revealed that approximately 14 400 students should enrol in universities annually,” said Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze during the presentation of labor market analysis findings.

According to the PM, alignment with market demands will occur gradually.

“If we face and follow the reality of labor market demands strictly, the number of students is 14 400. However, in the end, when the quotas were distributed, we calculated a five-year perspective and took into account the current circumstances. For instance, 3 600 students pursue higher education in law but the demand is for 700 attorneys, though the demand is high, and we should consider it. Therefore, we decided to gradually decrease this number to 700, not to cause a sharp contradiction between the requirements and enrollment among applicants, to 1 500 at the first stage and gradually balance the number.

There are cases where the demand is higher than the current number of enrolled students; however, there are other problems in the higher education system, for example, there is a shortage of highly qualified academic personnel. Due to this fact, we decided to increase the number of enrolled students gradually.

We have the data, which says that 14 400 students should enrol in universities. But taking into account these factors that I listed, in the end, 21 300 students will be admitted, thus exceeding the optimal rate that our labor market analysis gave us by 50 percent. Alignment with market demands should occur gradually,” he said.