Protest underway at Ilia State University as faculty and students rally against government decision on quotas

A protest is currently underway at Ilia State University, involving students and faculty members voicing their opposition.

The demonstrators are protesting the Georgian government’s decision to restrict admissions to Ilia State University solely to pedagogy programmes and STEM fields with ABET accreditation.

Following the announcement, the university’s academic and representative councils convened to discuss the matter.

Deputy Rector Giorgi Gvalia described the approval of student admission quotas as illegitimate and assured that the university will pursue all legal avenues, both domestically and internationally, to defend its position.

University Rector Nino Doborjginidze affirmed their commitment to defending the institution through legal means and protests.

“We fundamentally oppose the dismantling of university education in Georgia. We will safeguard the achievements of the past twenty years by all means, including legal action and protests. The decision-makers have no understanding of education,” Doborjginidze declared.