Georgian PM: Gov’t aims to restore Tbilisi State University’s 'original vision’

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze claimed on Thursday the government aimed to restore Tbilisi State University (TSU) to the original academic model envisioned by its founder, Ivane Javakhishvili, emphasizing the need to rebalance technical education within the higher education system.

Speaking to Georgian journalists in Dubai, Kobakhidze said technical disciplines have become marginalized within institutions that were historically established to prioritize engineering and applied sciences.

“Statistics clearly show that only 43% of programs at the former Georgian Technical University are now technical, while 57% are focused on law, economics, agriculture, and other disciplines unrelated to its original mission,” he said. “Technical education has become secondary in its own institution, and this must change.”

Kobakhidze noted that technical education originally developed as part of Tbilisi State University, established by Ivane Javakhishvili, and said the government seeks to restore that structure.

“As Ivane Javakhishvili envisioned, technical education emerged as a faculty within TSU. We want to restore the university to the state in which it was originally founded,” the prime minister said, adding that historical disruptions following Javakhishvili’s removal during the Soviet period altered the university’s development.

Addressing the issue of political debates, Kobakhidze said he was open to discussions on any topic with any political actor, provided that fundamental principles, including recognition of Georgia’s constitutional order, are respected.

“We are ready to discuss any issue and hold debates on any topic, as long as basic principles are observed. One of those principles is recognition of the constitutional order,” he said.

The prime minister emphasized that debates should be argument-based, transparent, and informative for the public.

“There is a great deal of speculation in the political sphere. Any topic can be discussed in a healthy manner - including issues such as European integration - as long as the discussion is grounded in arguments, remains open, and provides society with comprehensive information,” Kobakhidze said.