2021-06-09
Without education, the development of our country is inconceivable, because education is the strong foundation for us to build a strong Georgia, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili stated today at Kutaisi International University. During his visit to Kutaisi International University, the Head of Government met with first-year grad students.
The Prime Minister, in his conversation with students, emphasized the importance of Kutaisi International University enabling young people to work toward a European-level education in their own country, also pointing out that this was the very idea conceived by Bidzina Ivanishvili, one that gave rise to the implementation of this far-reaching project.
"Once again, as you are completing your first year here, I congratulate you on this day. This truly exceptional environment, created with financing and support from Cartu Foundation and Mister Bidzina Ivanishvili, is truly a unique project, a European-type university in terms of both quality and education, one that allows you to work toward a European-level education," the Prime Minister said.
It is planned to develop the university even further, with modern sports complexes and other facilities to be added to the university, the Head of Government underlined.
"We will invest heavily in education. Without education, the development of our country is inconceivable, because an education generation is the strong foundation for us to build a strong Georgia. I wish success to all of you. I am young too, and I was given a chance to engage in public service at a young age. Before that, as you know, I worked in eth private sector, and from my experience, I would like to recommend to you-please accept my humble advice I allow myself to give-the most important thing I have experienced, things that defined my future success; let me single out a few must-dos. Firstly, it is selflessness and dedication. Unless young people, students, set a goal above all else, they may study a lot, of course, and receive a top education, but they will fail to use their talents. My humble advice is first to set a clear goal. Your goals and your dream my be crystal clear, what you want to achieve. I recommend raising the bar. Do not start small. Start big. My second advice is dedication, tireless daily work toward your goal. Our every success-be it finishing your first or second year-should draw us closer to our goal in our minds. If we do everything in this spirit, we will make all our dreams come true and achieve all our goals, because nothing is unattainable if a person sets a goal-even unimaginable dreams and goals are possible," the Prime Minister told the students.
Irakli Garibashvili also emphasized that Kutaisi International University offers all necessary conditions for students to succeed in their fields and majors.
"Once again, you are lucky to study in this exceptional environment. Indeed, it is a good opportunity, a good starting point. When I was studying in France, I visited numerous good campuses, but I can assure you that this is far better than anything I saw in Europe. What out country is missing today is a lot of success stories. People need to believe based on deeds accomplished and achieved, provided that we show them many success stories. And you are success stories, and you must create success stories," the Prime Minister told the students.
Irakli Garibashvili also visited Kutaisi International University's lecture halls, library, cafeteria, and housing facilities, also the area where the Center for Hadron Therapy will be built.
On his visit to Kutaisi International University, the Prime Minister was accompanied by Minister of Education and Science Mikheil Chkhenkeli, MP Zaza Lominadze, Head of the Government Administration's Regional Liaison Department Leri Barnabishvili, Imereti Governor Zviad Shalamberidze, Kutaisi Mayor Ioseb Khakhaleishvili, and Chairman of Cartu Foundation's Supervisory Board Nikoloz Chkhetiani.
The idea of Kutaisi International University was conceived by Bidzina Ivanishvili and his family. Cartu Foundation is investing over a billion euro in the project's development. Kutaisi International University opened in 2020, amid the pandemic. The University's Honorary President is world-renowned scientist, former President of Technical University of Munich Wolfgang Herrmann, and the Board of Advisors consists of celebrated, leading scientists from different countries.
Along with Georgian professors, scientists from the world's leading universities teach at Kutaisi International University. Both in-person and online lectures are delivered, a method allowing for better engaging foreign-based Georgian scientists in the university's academic life.
Since inception, the university has been working with Technical University of Munich, one of the world's leading schools of higher education, a cooperation resulting in the development of joint curricula. The students of Kutaisi International University will study based on the same curricula as their peers in Germany. International cooperation on new academic programs with other leading universities continues. The University's Industry Advisory Board consists of representatives of the world's top companies and business associations.
Kutaisi International University will also run the Center for Hadron Therapy where, alongside using the latest methods to treat tumors, a great deal of attention will be paid to scientific research in the areas of medicine, medical physics, and nuclear physics. Studies will be implemented by both Georgian and foreign scientists. The world's leading oncology and proton therapy researchers have already expressed readiness to team up with Georgian colleagues in conducting scientific research in Kutaisi. The Center for Hadron Therapy, besides its enormous scientific importance, will be a strong scientific and research hub.
Press Service of the Government Administration