Final Workshop of the “Internationalization of Higher Education in Georgia” Project

On May 15-16, 2025, a final workshop was held to summarize the results of the I2Q project, supported by the World Bank, which aims to promote the internationalization of higher education in Georgia. Tamar Ghvamichava, the Deputy Minister of Education, Science, and Youth of Georgia, addressed the participants and discussed the importance of internationalizing higher education and the achievements made under the Innovation, Inclusion, and Quality Project – Georgia.

Significant efforts have been made within the I2Q Project to develop a new joint doctoral degree program. The doctoral program titled “Governance and Administration in Education and Science” has already received accreditation and has been positively evaluated by international experts.

This doctoral program, which awards a joint degree, is implemented by Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University (TSU) and the National Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA). The successful execution of the program aims to train leaders in the field of education, as highly qualified personnel and experienced managers are essential for effectively managing education and scientific endeavors.

The I2Q project also focuses on strengthening the internationalization of higher education through the development of modules on entrepreneurship and sector-specific English at the undergraduate level. Seven modules have been developed and are now available to all higher education institutions in Georgia, enabling them to enhance their current academic programs by integrating these new optional modules.

Additionally, three International Excellence Schools were successfully held as part of this project in Tbilisi, Batumi, and Kutaisi, with a total of 90 young researchers participating. The International Excellence Schools have become a successful platform for knowledge sharing and strengthening international academic and scientific collaboration.

The aim of the International Excellence Schools is to enhance research capabilities within Georgian universities and improve the quality of their research structures, processes, and outcomes. During these events, young researchers presented their research initiatives, which were evaluated and discussed by leading scientists and academic staff from University College London.

Consultancy services were provided by University College London, along with the consulting company Savvy Business Team, which were selected through an international tender. Local higher education institutions also played an active role in the project’s implementation.