Khatia Dekanoidze: They are not merging universities - they are abolishing them; this ugly system will affect everyone; according to my information, they want to dismiss 60-70% of GTU staff and reduce student admissions
According to one of the leaders of the United National Movement, Khatia Dekanoidze, the merger of Georgian Technical University (GTU) and Tbilisi State University (TSU) effectively amounts to an abolition of the universities. She made the statement on PalitraNews’ program “360 Degrees.”
The opposition politician stated that as a result of the changes, around 70% of professors and lecturers may lose their jobs. Specifically, according to her information, 60-70% of staff at Georgian Technical University are planned to be dismissed, and the number of incoming students will also be reduced.
Dekanoidze claims that the real goal of merging the universities is the privatization (sale) of university buildings.
“I’m not saying they are merging them - I’m saying they are abolishing them. It’s a fact that this incredibly ugly system will affect everyone.What have they done to improve the quality of education? Did they give universities autonomy? Who did they appoint as GTU rector? Is leaving 70% of professors unemployed an improvement? Everyone knows very well what they need this for - they need it to sell off the buildings. Georgia is a small country, information circulates, and according to my sources, they want to dismiss 60-70% of staff from the Technical University and, of course, reduce student admissions,” Dekanoidze said.
In addition, Dekanoidze spoke about a legislative initiative related to entrepreneurs, stating that enforcing the law would be practically impossible and that the government needs it to establish double standards.
According to her, the law is aimed at intimidating specific individuals and creates the risk that criticism expressed by citizens could become punishable by law.
“If the government is strong and feels no threat, it is unclear why it needs to adopt laws of an autocratic nature.The enforcement of this law is unrealistic. I believe it is needed for double standards and for intimidating specific people. Every citizen of Georgia should understand that criticism expressed by them could be punishable by law.The main goal of this government is to retain power - to consolidate power and act against the Georgian people. If the government is strong and afraid of nothing, then why does it need autocratic laws?” Dekanoidze stated.
