According to Zviad Gabisonia, Deputy Minister of Education, Science, and Youth of Georgia, the claim that university applicants’ freedom to choose faculties is being restricted is “speculation.”

He clarified once again what the “one city – one university” principle entails.

“Yesterday, a question was asked about what the ‘one city – one university’ principle means.

Under the current model, in Tbilisi there are five law faculties and five economics faculties, specifically in public universities: Tbilisi State University, Ilia State University, Georgian Technical University, and Sokhumi State University. The current model allows a student to choose, for example, the first law faculty at Tbilisi State University, the second at Ilia State University, the third at Georgian Technical University, and so on.

Yesterday, I explained that this model will be consolidated by merging these five law faculties into a single faculty, a single program. This is written in the concept approved by the government, and nothing different has been said on this matter.

Students will still be able to select other specialties at public universities, and in law or economics, they can choose any programs at private universities, including universities in Kutaisi. Over the past two days, there has been speculation suggesting certain restrictions, but no such changes are provided in the normative acts,” said the Deputy Minister.

For reference, yesterday information circulated claiming that under the new model, applicants would no longer be able to select more than one faculty or university. Later, the Ministry of Education issued a statement clarifying that applicants’ freedom of choice would not be restricted. They will still have the opportunity to indicate programs offered by both public and private universities.