According to Davit Gurgenidze, rector of the Georgian Technical University (GTU), the meeting at the Ministry of Education with Deputy Minister Zviad Gabisonia regarding the possible merger of GTU and Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University (TSU) was productive and professional.

Gurgenidze stated that the results of the discussion will soon be presented to Education Minister Givi Mikadze, and a meeting with the minister is scheduled for the end of the week, after which the parties will finalize their positions.

The GTU rector emphasized that Georgia is a democratic country, and under the current government, no party will face pressure; all decisions will be made within the framework of the Constitution.

“What we discussed is known to the whole country and also to our colleagues abroad. It was a very productive meeting, lasting over four hours. The university’s academic leadership, councils, deans, lecturers, and administration presented their views and proposals regarding the concept - under what circumstances the merger of Georgian Technical University and Tbilisi State University could occur, what are the positive aspects, and what we see as negative. It was a professional conversation. We planned that by the end of the week, we will meet with the Minister of Education, after which we will reconcile final positions.

We live in a democratic country. Under the current government, no one will be forced or pressured; everything will proceed as the Constitution dictates.

As a lecturer, I have had a personal opinion for a long time, but I do not have the right to express it before consulting with all parties. I will share my opinion first with my colleagues, and then with the political leadership of the country,” Gurgenidze said.

He added that for the past year, 19 universities and the Ministry of Education have been working on education reform, but information about the possible university merger became known to him and Jaba Samushia only the day before the announcement.

“For a year, 19 universities and the Ministry of Education have been working on education reform, covering many issues. But the decision regarding the university merger was known to me and Jaba [Samushia] only the day before. The next day, in coordination with the Minister, we gathered professors and lecturers and presented these ideas,” he said.

Gurgenidze stressed that, as a lecturer, he already has a personal position but does not plan to express it until consultations with all parties are held.

“We will work on this together with them and reach a result that will be acceptable for both universities. Jaba [Samushia] and I understand the responsibility we bear, and I assure you, everything will be very good,” he concluded.