“The goal is clear - control. It seems that under the existing administrations it was not possible to implement the ‘draconian’ changes,” said Levan Gordeziani, a professor at Tbilisi State University (TSU), commenting on the merger of TSU and Georgian Technical University (GTU).

According to him, the university merger is “very bad.”

“Decisions like this cannot be made without consulting universities and the academic community. The goal is one - control. Apparently, under the conditions of the existing administrations, it was not possible to implement the ‘draconian’ changes; therefore, the two universities are merging, and a temporary administration is being appointed, which will likely cut them down with an axe,” Gordeziani stated.

Regarding the broader education reform, Gordeziani emphasized that current developments go against the very purpose of an education system:

“The harmfulness embedded in this process has become fully evident along the way. It is sad that ‘Georgian Dream’ treats us as their own asset, their property. They manage us as they see fit, as if we are their possession. This approach contradicts the very meaning of the education system today. Education should produce educated, freely-thinking individuals, and they are opposing that. No matter how well they organize the process, this approach is unacceptable. They are unaware of certain things, do not understand the details, and will harm many. Each overlooked detail will have its own negative consequences if this is implemented,” Gordeziani concluded.