PM Kobakhidze outlines higher education reform: one city - one faculty, regional development, shorter study programs

Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has presented a detailed plan for reforming Georgia’s higher education system during a parliamentary interpellation on Wednesday, emphasizing optimization of resources, improvement of educational quality, and regional development.

Key Principles: One City – One Faculty

Kobakhidze highlighted that one of the main challenges in Georgia’s higher education system is the unequal distribution of resources and inconsistent academic quality across universities, particularly in Tbilisi. To address this, the government proposes the principle of “one city - one faculty” for state universities in the capital.

“This primarily concerns Tbilisi, as universities in other cities do not have the capacity to host multiple faculties. Currently, more than 85% of students study in the capital. Our goal is to develop regional universities’ infrastructure, dormitories, and overall capacity to accommodate more students,” Kobakhidze said.

The reform, he claimed, aims to deconcentrate education and develop key cities such as Kutaisi and Rustavi as secondary educational hubs. Kutaisi, in particular, is intended to become the second major educational center in the country, with modern infrastructure and facilities supporting a broader student base outside the capital.

Addressing Key Challenges

The Prime Minister outlined seven challenges and corresponding tasks in higher education, including:

• Overconcentration of universities in Tbilisi
  
  

• Low and inconsistent quality of education
  
  

• Youth emigration due to limited domestic educational opportunities
  
  

Kobakhidze stressed that the current system, with 64 operating universities, is fragmented and uneven, making it impossible to ensure high-quality education across all institutions. Reform efforts aim to raise the overall quality of higher education and create a more sustainable system.

Improving Quality and Standardization

The government, he said, plans to enhance the quality management system in universities, addressing issues where curricula and syllabi verification are largely formal and inconsistent across institutions. Kobakhidze emphasized the need for state accountability for diplomas, ensuring uniform quality standards, similar to practices in countries such as Germany or the UK.

Optimizing Study Duration: The 3+1+1 Model

As part of the reform, the government proposes a 3+1+1 system:

• 3 years for a bachelor’s degree
  
  

• 1 year for a master’s degree
  
  

• Optional 2-year extension for doctoral studies or further specialization
  
  

“This system aligns with international standards. For example, law students can complete core courses and electives within three years, providing the knowledge required for professional practice. Similar adjustments are possible for economics, social sciences, and humanities,” Kobakhidze said.

Economic Impact: Increasing Workforce

The Prime Minister noted that shorter study durations could add approximately 30,000 young professionals to the workforce, helping to address labor shortages “amid rapid economic growth.”