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2016-02-08

98th Anniversary of Tbilisi State University

An event marking the 98th foundation anniversary of the Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University (TSU) was held on February 8. Rector of TSU, Academician Vladimer Papava, Minister of Education and Science, Tamar Sanikidze, Finance Minister Nodar Khaduri, professors, students and invited guests attended the event. 

TSU Rector Vladimer Papava said that “February 8 is a symbolic day not only for our university, but for entire Georgia. It is symbolic that our university was founded in 1918, when the first Democratic Republic was established. The Tbilisi University enjoyed huge support from then government. This tradition still continues today. The university performs a huge function – not only it is the first university historically, but it should set an example for other universities in order to jointly become members of the European Higher Education Area.”

“By establishing the first university in the Caucasus, its founders fulfilled the mission that was urgently needed. A lot of young people have an opportunity to receive education in this institution and the Tbilisi State University has a chance to set an example for the Caucasus and beyond,” Education Minister Tamar Sanikidze said.

“Foundation of the university was not merely the establishment of an educational or scientific institution. It was a serious declaration for Georgia’s independence. During its existence the university launched a lot of processes, which had a great influence on the Georgian state. I am glad that the university is so active in all directions,” Finance Minister Nodar Khaduri said.

“Today we are marking the 98th anniversary of TSU. This is the most important day for several reasons, first of all, because the university is reaching its 100th anniversary. TSU is a leading university in Georgia and we should try not only to make this anniversary symbolic, but also to ensure the university advancement from year to year as well as creation of a result-oriented system and better educational area,” TSU student, Sandro Tabatadze said.

In frames of solemn events, the employees of the TSU faculties and research institutes were awarded with the University and Ivane Javakhishvili medals for their contribution to the university’s development.

Presentation of a documentary film (Dilogy) “At the Origins” was held by the end of the event (screenwriter and film director, Tinatin Dabrundashvili, Pulse TV). The film is dedicated to the first steps of introduction of higher medical education in Georgia, establishment of the Faculty of Medicine at the Tbilisi University and the contribution of various persons to this process; the second part of the film is about the establishment of the departments of human anatomy, surgery and anatomical pathology, their first heads and educational-scientific processes ongoing at these departments.

The first-ever national university in the Caucasus was opened on January 26, 1918, the day of commemoration of King David the Builder (new style February 8), laying the foundation for a European-type higher school in Georgia, based on Georgian educational traditions. Upon the nomination of Ivane Javakhishvili, the Council of Professors elected Petre Melikishvili as the first rector of the university. Ivane Javakhishvili took charge of the faculty of philosophy.

The following persons delivered lectures at the newly established university: Ivane Javakhishvili, Iustine Abuladze, Giorgi Akhvlediani, Philipe Gogichaishvili, Ekvtime Takaishvili, Korneli Kekelidze, Shalva Nutsubidze, Elisabed Bagrationi-Orbeliani, Dimitri Uznadze, Vanda Gambashidze, Ilia Kipshidze, Ioseb Kipshidze, Akaki Shanidze, Andria Benashvili, Andria Razmadze, Ivane Beritashvili, and Grigol Tsereteli.

In 1989 the Tbilisi State University was named after its founder, Ivane Javakhishvili.

Today the Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University is one of the first scientific-research institutions of Georgia. It implements about 200 local and international scientific grant programs annually. The Tbilisi State University is one of the largest higher educational institutions by its scales. Today over 20 000 students are undergoing studies at seven faculties of TSU.

Along with over 200 bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs, the Tbilisi State University also implements higher vocational education, as well as short-term and long-term certification programs. Based on close collaboration with foreign universities, Georgian students have opportunities to participate in exchange and joint international educational programs and gain double academic degrees.       

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