Tbilisi State University rector, professors lay flowers at founders’ graves marking university anniversary

To mark the 108th anniversary of Tbilisi State University, the Rector, Academician Jaba Samushia, together with professors, administrative staff and students, laid flowers at the graves of the university’s founders at the University’s Pantheon.

Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University was founded on February 8, 1918, on the day of the commemoration of King David the Builder, in Tbilisi, in the building of the former gymnasium. Later that year, on September 3, it was officially named Tbilisi State University.

The university’s principal founder was the prominent Georgian historian, Academician Ivane Javakhishvili. Co-founders included Konstantine Abkhazi, Grigol Gvelesiani, Ekvtime Takaishvili, Giorgi Akhvlediani, Shalva Nutsubidze, Dimitri Uznadze, Grigol Tsereteli, Akaki Shanidze, Andria Razmadze, Ioseb Kipshidze, Korneli Kekelidze and Petre Melikishvili.

Professor Petre Melikishvili, a world-renowned Georgian chemist and corresponding member of the Imperial Academy of Sciences of Russia, was elected the university’s first rector on the nomination of Ivane Javakhishvili. On the day of the university’s opening, a ceremonial service was held in its courtyard by Catholicos-Patriarch Kirion II of All Georgia.