Claims that one of the universities is being abolished are disinformation. The fact that the name will be “Tbilisi State University” does not mean the absorption of the Georgian Technical University. This is the unification and strengthening of two important universities under one umbrella, one roof, said Mariam Lashkhi, Chair of the Parliamentary Committee on Education, Science and Youth Affairs, while speaking about the merger of TSU and GTU.

According to her, the merger of the universities implies the consolidation of resources and proper planning.

As Lashkhi noted, “It is regrettable that even education reform is being politically instrumentalized.”

“There is no mention whatsoever of property - neither in legislative terms nor in the resolution. This is yet another indication that we are hearing speculation. The idea and concept are that no matter how much we talk about Harvard, Oxford, or Cambridge, of course Tbilisi State University, as well as the Georgian Technical University, have a great history and an invaluable contribution to the formation and development of our nation. At the same time, it must be said that, unfortunately, today not a single Georgian university is even in the top 500 of global rankings. One of the main goals of this reform, including the merger, is to ensure the quality of education in the higher education system in such a way that our university enters at least the top 500, and in the longer perspective, the top 200.

It is disinformation that any university is being abolished. The fact that the name will be ‘Tbilisi State University’ does not imply the swallowing of the Georgian Technical University. This is the unification and strengthening of two important universities under one umbrella, one roof. Within the framework of the reform, the principle of ‘one faculty - one city’ was announced. The reform implies that at the Technical University, where there are several humanities disciplines, and at the State University, where there are also technical disciplines, these should either have been phased out or transferred between institutions. For example, where should the Faculty of Physics be located - at TSU or at GTU? This is a very difficult question to answer. The problem would be duplication, and it would be difficult to decide where it should be based. To avoid this, it is important to consolidate resources. The merger implies the consolidation of resources and proper planning,” Lashkhi stated.

For reference, by government decision, Tbilisi State University and the Georgian Technical University will be merged. For the purpose of the merger, a temporary governing body - a council - will be established by ministerial order, and acting rectors and vice-rectors will be appointed to manage the reorganization process.