Ilia Chavchavadze Medal Awarded to TSU

The Ilia Chavchavadze Medal has been awarded to Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University for making a special contribution to strengthening Georgian identity. Rector of TSU, George Sharvashidze, Vice Rector, Nino Okribelashvili and academics attended the awards ceremony held at Ilia Chavchavadze State Museum in Saguramo.  

Rector George Sharvashidze said that TSU is the first institution that was awarded with the Ilia Chavchavadze Medal. “Tbilisi State University received a historical award – Ilia Chavchavadze Medal. Everything that is associated with education and especially higher education in Georgia is linked to the name of Ilia Chavchavadze. Thus, it is very symbolic that TSU was awarded the Ilia Chavchavadze Medal during Iliaoba celebrations,” he noted. 

The decision on awarding the Ilia Chavchavadze Medal to TSU was made jointly by the Board of Trustees of Ilia Foundation and Ilia Chavchavadze State Museum. Andro Bedukadze, head of the museum, said that Tbilisi State University is one of the first institutions deserving the award. “The Ilia Chavchavadze Medal should be awarded to a distinguished institution that continues Ilia’s path. Therefore, we jointly decided to award it to Tbilisi State University,” he said. 

Poet Tariel Kharkhelauri said that the award is important not only for Tbilisi State University, but for all those people who studied or are studying at TSU. “I am proud that TSU deserves this award,” he noted. 

The Ilia Chavchavadze Medal, created by sculptor Merab Berdzenishvili, is awarded to institutions or persons, who are making special contribution to education sphere.