Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University (TSU) is hosting the 7th International Staff Week, which has brought together representatives of 39 higher education institutions from 16 countries.

Over the course of five days, participants will engage in discussions on the significance of internationalization in the effective management of universities. Additionally, the individual academic units of the institutions will deliberate on their primary objectives in the context of internationalization policies. They will also exchange experiences and discuss the potential for collaboration.

In his opening remarks, Erekle Astakhishvili, Deputy Rector of TSU, discussed the history of the university’s establishment and its role in shaping the Georgian educational space. “Tbilisi State University has played and still plays an important role in shaping the Georgian educational space, with numerous generations of professional graduates who have significantly influenced the country’s development,” said Erekle Astakhishvili. He emphasized the significance of the International Staff Week, as well as the exchange of students and academic staff for the development of the Georgian educational system and the enhancement of the quality of higher education.

The overarching theme of the event is the sustainability of international partnerships in higher education. Participants will present to their colleagues the basic principles they use to make cooperation sustainable, long-term, mutually beneficial and profitable.

Tea Gergedava, head of the Department of Foreign Relations of TSU, has stated that the great interest shown by partner foreign universities in TSU’s International Staff Week has led to the event being held four times a year. “Foreign colleagues are interested in the extensive experience TSU has accumulated over the years in planning, organizing and managing mobility and exchange programs. The approaches employed by TSU to adapt the criteria updated by the European Commission to the local context are also a matter of interest. Furthermore, colleagues demonstrate interest in mobility.tsu.ge, an electronic portal for the management of exchange and mobility programs developed by TSU, which helps us make decisions related to program planning through multi-faceted analysis.

Representatives of the International Education Center were also present at opening event.

On the first day of the International Staff Week, participants had the opportunity to hear a report from Koen Geven, a senior economist at the World Bank, on the new directions of higher education policy. TSU Professor Ketevan Khutsishvili presented a report on “Georgia - the Homeland of Wheat and Wine.”

Organized by the Department of Foreign Relations of TSU, the Week has been held at Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University since 2017. Its primary objective is to facilitate enhanced collaboration with leading European universities.