2019-02-28

“Promoting Scientific Research and Development at Higher Educational Institutions of Georgia”

The uniform system of scientific research management will be created in Georgia and Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University, as well as other universities will get involved in it. The research conducted by Georgian scientists and researchers will be available to Horizon 2020, the biggest EU Research and Innovation programme, and other international foundations. The first meeting of the HERD project “Promoting Scientific Research and Development at Higher Educational Institutions of Georgia” implemented within the framework of the EU-funded Erasmus+KA2 programme was held at TSU on February 27.

The project consists of 17 full and 3 associated partners, among them 12 higher educational institutions of Georgia, 5 government agencies and 3 European universities.

Rector of TSU, George Sharvashidze; Deputy Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport of Georgia, Irina Abuladze; Head of National Erasmus+ Office, Georgia, Lika Glonti; academics and students attended the first working meeting.

Rector George Sharvashidze noted that the project will promote planning and development of science. “Along with 12 Georgian universities, French and German universities are also involved in the project. Our ultimate goal is to come closer to European higher education and research area. We hope that the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport will use the project results as a guideline to ensure that similar structural units are established at all Georgian higher educational institutions,” the TSU Rector said.

Deputy Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport of Georgia, Irina Abuladze expressed hope that the project will open up new opportunities for Georgian scientists on international arena. “The project is very important for the development of education and science, introduction of a new model of science. A uniform portal will be created in frames of the project providing information about scientific potential of these universities,” the Deputy Minister noted.

According to TSU Professor Marina Chitashvili, who also is the project coordinator, the project will help scientists search for partners in European structures and get joint grants. “Our goal is to ensure that young scientists have an opportunity to get comprehensive information about their research countrywide, to search for professionals and get a consultation. We believe that in this situation, the entire research-related system will be regulated at an administrative level,” Prof. Chitashvili noted.

Christian Gerhardts, head of the European Project Center, said that the project is a very important experience in the sphere of scientific development. “We are glad to participate in such an important project. We hope that we will be able to make our contribution to the development of research, curricula. We think that this project will bring benefits and experience to our European partners at the universities and beyond,” he said.

The project duration is two years. Its main objective is to modernize the research centers of member universities, to increase research potential and its quality, to integrate learning and research at an institutional level. To achieve these goals, the project envisages the following activities: to create a joint research platform for 12 Georgian universities; to create a research web portal of Georgia; to improve the skills of administrative staff in terms of research management and data analysis; to promote the growth of research potential in member universities.

The sessions will be held on February 27-28. The participants will discuss the first phase of the project, also outline the plans for the first year and agree on the challenges and risk factors of the project outcomes. Moreover, the ways of project administration and implementation will be discussed thoroughly.
Print

« back to list