Academia Europaea Launches the Tbilisi Regional Hub
Academia Europaea (the Academy of Europe) has expanded the network and launched a regional center in Tbilisi, Georgia at Tbilisi State University. The major objective of the institution is the improvement of the access and usage of the European scientific achievements for the national, as well as regional policy-making, and encouragement of education throughout the country, including scientific researches, through the collaboration with international agencies. The Tbilisi branch is the 5th member of the regional hubs of the Academy of Europe.
The Prime Minister of Georgia Mamuka Bakhtadze was present at the opening ceremony of the regional center earlier today, where he took to the stage and addressed the audience.
“Education is the shortest way to freedom and overcoming every challenge facing Georgia,” stated the Head of the Government. “Within this idea of national importance, Georgia assumes responsibility to invest 6% of GDP- quarter of the budget, in fact- in education over the course of the next decade. It is our message to our friends, our attitude and resolve,” stated Bakhtadze.
The Prime Minister also accentuated Georgia’s aspirations to become the leader of the region and noted that the launch of the Tbilisi Regional Hub of the Academy of Europe is one of the major steps towards the return of Georgia to the European family.
“I have always said, and I reiterate, that the Georgian nation's decision to return to the European family is not only a political decision: it is a value-based civilizational choice, as clearly demonstration by this day. Yes, it is through education and culture that we see the closest possible integration with our common family, Europe,” said Mamuka Bakhtadze.
At the end of the speech, the Prime Minster thanked all the contributors to the project and expressed hope for the further scientific and technical progress of Georgia.
Academia Europaea is a non-governmental network of regional hubs, aimed at the advancement and propagation of excellence in scholarship in the humanities, law, the economic, social, and political sciences, mathematics, medicine, and all branches of natural and technological sciences across the world for the development of education.
By Ketevan Kvaratskheliya
Image source: Government of Georgia