On February 8 the Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University celebrated its 96th foundation anniversary.
TSU Rector, Academician Vladimer Papava, Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili, Minister of Regional Development and Infrastructure Davit Narmania, Finance Minister Nodar Khaduri, academic staff and students attended the solemn event.
Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili and TSU Rector Vladimer Papava opened the busts of TSU founders, Ivane Javakhishvili and Petre Melikishvili in the foyer of TSU Building I. The busts were created by a famous sculptor, Iakob Nikoladze. President Margvelashvili and TSU Rector also viewed an exhibition titled “First Students of the University.”
An exhibition of rare editions kept at the TSU Library Fund was also dedicated to the 96th anniversary of TSU’s foundation. Old Georgian, European, Russian, Armenian and Persian manuscripts and printed books are exhibited. The exhibition will last until February 15.
In connection with the 96th anniversary of the Tbilisi State University, a university medal was handed over to President Margvelashvili.
TSU Rector, Academician Vladimer Papava said that David the Builder was an extraordinary king for Georgia, its history, present day and future, who united Georgia and put the country on the path of glory.
“It is not occasional that the founders of our university selected this day, February 8 when establishing the university that is quite symbolic. Just the university should embody Georgia’s future, its progress because our future generations, who should rule our country tomorrow, are being educated here. For us, the university, it is important to qualitatively improve the level of education, to strengthen scientific research activities. We are going in this direction step by step. The entire Georgian society and our students are engaged in a common affair and I am deeply sure that we will achieve success. I congratulate all TSU students and its alumni on the university’s birthday,” Vladimer Papava said.
In his speech President Margvelashvili stressed the importance of the university in Georgia and congratulated professors, students and alumni on the 96th anniversary of the leading Georgian educational institution.
“I want to emphasize the importance of our university for the development and future of our nation and our country. We all know that the university is home to science and youth. Moreover, this is the place for both mental and moral establishment. This university played and still plays a key role in the process of establishing the identity of our country. I am connected to this university for many reasons including my relationship with science and other values,” President Margvelashvili said.
TSU Rector and other representatives of the university laid wreaths at the graves of the university founders at the TSU Pantheon and honored the memory of Ekvtime Takaishvili at the Mtatsminda Pantheon.
The first-ever national university in the Caucasus was opened on February 8, 1918 laying the foundation for a European-type higher school in Georgia, based on Georgian educational traditions.
The Tbilisi State University is one of the largest higher educational institutions by its scales. Today over 20 000 students are undergoing studies at six faculties of TSU.
