TSU ICT Educational-Industrial-Scientific Hub

Beneficiaries: Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University, San Diego State University, Evry-Val-d’Essonne University and Westphalian University

Project Name: TSU ICT Educational-Industrial-Scientific Hub

Implementation Dates: 07/2024 – 12/2025

Total Project Cost: 547,600.00 GEL

Grant Amount: 530,600.00 GEL

Description

The project aims to create a center – hub to improve computer science education by modernizing existing programs, integrating industrial practices and promoting gender inclusiveness.

The goal of the project is a combination of different components:

• Modernization of the existing bachelor’s program of computer science and, as its logical continuation, the development of a new master’s program (with the possibility of awarding a double degree together with partner universities participating in the consortium);
• Implementation of the latest methods of teaching and learning and provision / support of the constant cycle of training-updating of their corresponding training materials and personnel. Development of a mechanism for constant logical and effective involvement of the university, industry, consortium members, students and graduates in this process;
• Development/implementation of gender inclusiveness policy on training programs;
• Implementation of the latest e-learning infrastructure and ICT teaching methods, based on the achievements of artificial intelligence, cloud technologies and other scientific and technological directions. The hub created within the framework of the project should ensure the full cycle of preparation of materials for technologically and methodologically high-quality training courses (in the future, not only for the programs envisaged by the project);
• Creation of infrastructure to provide education based on the latest ICT technologies and methods. The infrastructure should be able to provide technical and systematic support for such modern methods of e-learning, such as: online learning, integration of modern modules of the LMS system, support for collaborative learning, playground workshops, Workforce partnerships, artificial intelligence-driven systems (AI-driven systems) such as Machine Learning-Powered Teaching assistants (TAs) implementation.
• Share the existing experience and the obtained results with the Georgian regional universities, in order to further encourage their involvement.

The proposed model of cooperation combines the representation of partner EU/US industry (private sector) of the consortium participating universities in projects, which ensures relevance of the content of research projects and programs and relevance to industry requirements. This innovative approach enriches the learning experience for students by providing them with knowledge directly from industry professionals. This kind of cooperation deepens and increases the possibility of participation of Georgian researchers (including prospective students) in international research projects.

Activities

Within the framework of the project, the modernization of the existing undergraduate program of computer science and the development of an updated syllabus are carried out. In addition, within creating new master’s program in computer science the curriculum and syllabus of the mentioned program are being developed. Within the framework of the mentioned activities, training materials are being updated/developed.

Infrastructure is being created to provide education based on the latest ICT technologies. Within the framework of the mentioned activity, the analysis of the technologies providing modern e-learning and the selection of the necessary infrastructure, the technical and software of the hub, the retraining/training of the personnel using the infrastructure are carried out.

Implementation of the latest ICT teaching methods is underway, within the framework of which modern teaching methods are studied and selected, personal are trained/retrained in the direction of modern teaching methods.

At the same time, the development/implementation of the policy of gender inclusiveness in educational programs is underway, within the framework of which international cooperation, including research collaboration, and the development of the policy and implementation plan of gender inclusiveness, public awareness of the issues of achieving gender balance are being developed.

Also, the experience of partner higher education institutions in connection with the industry is being studied and a plan for cooperation with the industry is being developed. It is planned to conduct seminars with the involvement of the industry.

Sustainability

A modernly equipped hub will provide processing of big data, which should facilitate the attraction of research and industrial grants. At the same time, the updated bachelor’s programs and the developed English-language double-degree master’s program provide meaningful educational-scientific sustainability, including in terms of attracting international students.