2018-07-19

TSU, Italy Boost Cooperation

Italian President Sergio Mattarella visited Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University (TSU) on July 17, where he viewed an exhibition “Georgia – Italy: History of Friendship” and discussed the issues of Georgian-Italian bilateral cooperation. Rector of TSU, Giorgi Sharvashidze, Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport, Mikheil Batiashvili, Italian Ambassador to Georgia, Antonio Enrico Bartoli, Georgian and Italian officials, foreign diplomats, representatives of academic circles and Georgian society attended the meeting.

“I am glad to have an opportunity to share some views about the past and especially the future of our friendship seen through the prism of our common European mood. It is a great honor for me to do it at the oldest university in the Caucasus, during the 100th anniversary of its establishment. This date coincides with the 100th anniversary of the First Republic of Georgia and I congratulate you on this important double anniversary,” President Mattarella said during his meeting at TSU. He also spoke about the history of Georgian-Italian friendship and cooperation, which was launched centuries ago and which is still developing extensively. The Italian President said that “the cooperation is active and will further deepen in the sphere of education and innovations.” He also noted that in autumn the Italian side and TSU will present new joint projects.

Rector Giorgi Sharvashidze also focused on new projects and future cooperation, saying that TSU is implementing exchange programs, as well as joint, dual degree MA and PhD programs with over 20 Italian universities. “We plan to increase the number and quality of exchange programs. We have agreed today that Tbilisi State University, National Research Council of Italy and Shota Rustaveli National Science Foundation will work jointly to develop a special project for Georgia that will be dedicated to the connection between cultural heritage and industry, development and exact sciences. It will be an innovative vision and perception of our cultural heritage that is extremely developed in Italy; so, we are eager to share their experience in this respect,” Rector Sharvashidze said.

Italian President Sergio Mattarella was awarded the Tbilisi State University Medal for his special contribution to the development of Georgian-Italian relations.

Italian President Sergio Mattarella paid a two-day official visit to Georgia on July 16-17. As part of his visit, he held talks with President Giorgi Margvelashvili, Prime Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze, Parliamentary Chairman Irakli Kobakhidze, Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze and Georgian Patriarch Ilia II.

Print

« back to list