A solemn event marking the 100th anniversary of Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University was held at TSU on February 8. Delegations of about 50 leading universities, students, professors, representatives of Georgian government and legislative authorities, as well as invited guests attended the event. Rector of TSU, Giorgi Sharvashidze; Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, Ilia II; Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili; Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Mikheil Janelidze; Minister of Education and Science, Mikheil Chkhenkeli and representatives of European universities congratulated the participants on the anniversary of the Tbilisi State University.
“First of all, let me pay tribute and bless those people, who founded the Tbilisi State University and let me bless the person who was the first to bless the University - Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, Kyrion. The University is an indicator of Georgian culture, Georgian past, present and future. It is an indicator of our intellect, our spirituality. Let me once again congratulate you on the 100th anniversary. The University, which has such a great past, such devoted professors and teachers, will have a great future,” Georgian Patriarch Ilia II said.
Rector Giorgi Sharvashidze welcomed the participants, among them the family of the first student of TSU, Medea Gambashidze, who arrived from France to attend the anniversary events. “One hundred years have passed since the foundation of the Tbilisi State University. On the one hand, it is a short historical period, and on the other, these 100 years are very symbolic. The Tbilisi State University has been built upon the rich multi-century traditions existing in Georgia. Historical justice was restored in 1918 and the European-type high school was founded based on the principles of modern research, equality, openness, democracy. Today, we can proudly say that not only Georgian science survived in many directions, but it even got a new breath; new faces appeared in Georgian science. We welcome rejuvenation of Georgian science and implementation of the programs launched by us with the support of our international partners,” Rector Sharvashidze said.
“Our great ancestors viewed the countrys independence and the existence of a strong center of education and national culture in the same context, which made perfect sense only a few months after the Universitys establishment, on May 26, when Georgias Democratic Republic was declared through the Act of Independence. These dates are of vital importance in our history. Thus, the year 2018 is special anniversary year in Georgia. One hundred years ago, a progressive idea was conceived within these walls by our scientific and cultural communities. Today, our University is celebrating its 100th anniversary as our nations leading educational, scientific, and research institution numbered among the worlds top universities,” Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili said.
“It is a smithy of our future generation, our intellectual potential. New knowledge is being created here; science is advancing; on behalf of the Ministry of Education and Science and personally me, I would like to thank you all, professors and teachers, scientists, staff members for the tireless work you do for educating our future generations,” Minister of Education and Science, Mikheil Chkhenkeli said.
Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University’s 100th Anniversary is being held in 2018 under the auspices of UNESCO. This decision was made by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization with the support of friendly nations at the 39th session of the General Conference in Paris.
Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University meets its 100th anniversary as the major educational and research institution in the country, which annually implements about 200 local and international scientific grant projects with about 22 thousand Georgian and about 600 foreign students undergoing their studies there. Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University (TSU) is the only university not only in Georgia, but throughout the Caucasus region, which has been ranked among the top 2 percent of universities in the world, according to U.S. News & World Report.
