Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University is a partner in the international project “Widening AI Research and Innovation for Excellence in the Eastern Partnership”- WARIE, which was officially launched in Yerevan, on October 22, 2026. The project is funded under the European Excellence Initiative of the European Union’s HORIZON EUROPE programme and is coordinated by Armenia’s Institute for Informatics and Automation Problems. The consortium brings together 13 leading research and higher education institutions from Armenia, Georgia, Moldova, Germany, France, Switzerland, and Sweden. WARIE secured funding through a highly competitive selection process, with approximately 10% of the 284 submitted proposals receiving funding.

The project aims to strengthen research and innovation capacity in artificial intelligence, expand international cooperation, and support the integration of Eastern Partnership countries into the European Research Area. Planned activities include establishing interdisciplinary AI research centres of excellence, developing research management systems, introducing digital infrastructure based on Open Science principles, and expanding professional development opportunities for young researchers.

The official launch was attended by Armenia’s Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports, Zhanna Andreasyan. She outlined the strategic priorities for the development of Armenia’s science sector for 2026–2030: promoting scientific excellence, developing human potential, modernising research infrastructure, supporting the practical application of research results, and strengthening international scientific cooperation. The Minister noted that WARIE aligns with these priorities and offers an important opportunity to deepen cooperation with the European Union and strengthen scientific capacity across the Eastern Partnership region. Vassilis Maragos, EU Ambassador to Armenia, also addressed the participants. He emphasised the importance of cooperation between Eastern Partnership countries and European institutions in research and innovation, including artificial intelligence. He noted that the project would support talent development and closer integration into the European Research Area. The participants were also honoured to hear welcoming remarks from Tatev Aslanyan, Armenia’s Deputy Minister of High-Tech Industry and Artificial Intelligence; Hovhannes Hovhannisyan, Rector of Yerevan State University; and Giorgi Shervashidze, Ambassador of Georgia to Armenia.

Participation in WARIE offers TSU an opportunity to advance research and innovation in artificial intelligence in cooperation with European partners, strengthen its research management capacity, and support the professional development of young researchers. For this project, TSU will be represented by the Faculty of Exact and Natural Sciences, the TSU Department of Scientific Research and Development, and the Central Quality Assurance Office, ensuring university-wide coordination of project activities.