Zaal Kokaia - “The First Public Lecture of the Year” at TSU

Professor Zaal Kokaia of Lund University and TSU delivered a public lecture “Brain, Stroke and Stem Cells” at Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University (TSU) on February 13. The lecture was delivered within the framework of “the First Public Lecture of the Year.” Rector of TSU, George Sharvashidze, academics, students and invited guests attended the lecture. Rector Sharvashidze awarded TSU’s Anniversary Medal to Prof. Zaal Kokaia. 

“Several years ago, we restored the tradition, when our successful alumni deliver “the First Public Lecture of the Year” with which we begin a new academic year at TSU. This year, Zaal Kokaia delivered a public lecture on a very interesting and important topic – brain and stem cells. The lecture drew broad public interest,” Rector Sharvashidze noted. 

“It is a great honor for me to deliver the first lecture of the year, especially as the University is my Alma Mater. I got education in physiology and neuroscience here, at the 1st Building of TSU, 40 years ago. I tried to present all those achievements and novelties that are taking place throughout the world in terms of stem cells,” Zaal Kokaia said. 

According to him, he is glad that a lot of students showed interest towards the lecture. 

“Students are the force that will use this technology in the future to improve the quality and condition of our patients,” he added. 

The First Public Lecture of the Year is delivered annually at TSU. Ivane Javakhishvili was the first to deliver the first public lecture on February 12, 1918.

In frames of “the First Public Lecture of the Year”, former Parliamentary Chairman Davit Usupashvili delivered a lecture “Our State” at TSU on February 12, 2015; TSU Emeritus Professor, Academician Mariam Lortkipanidze delivered a public lecture “How did we survive?” in 2016. Director of the Georgian National Museum, David Lordkipanidze delivered a public lecture “Modern Data on Archaic Homo” on February 10. TSU Professor Levan Gigineishvili delivered a public lecture “Theory of Henads by Ioane Petritsi and His New Anthropology” on February 12, 2018; and TSU Emeritus Professor Mzekala Shanidze delivered a public lecture “Georgian Manuscripts – Our Cultural Heritage” on February 12, 2019.