“Some things need to change, but destruction is not change; this is the problem,” said analyst and political scientist Archil Gamzardia on the “Resume” program on Palitranius, commenting on the Education Minister’s statements regarding higher education reform.

According to Gamzardia, even the idea of a “good reform” does not justify ignoring the opinions of citizens.

“No government has ever had such harmful intentions regarding education. Even if the government presents good ideas, it cannot completely ignore the citizens - the people who teach, who study, who are employed, and so on. Even in the case of a good idea, it is unacceptable to tell everyone: ‘You are nothing, I decide, and that’s it.’ Every significant reform is always accompanied by at least procedural democracy,” Archil Gamzardia stated.

Gamzardia also said that, ultimately, Georgian Technical University and Ilia State University will lose their university status.

“The government is focused on creating the illusion of a false compromise. If the merger of TSU and GTU had worked out, that would have been the maximum program. They are still referred to as universities, but in order for a higher education institution to truly hold university status, there are numerous requirements. We will inevitably reach a stage where Technical University and Ilia University will lose their university status. After that, it is highly likely that the agenda will return to consolidating smaller institutions under Tbilisi State University,” Archil Gamzardia said.

For reference, the Education Minister outlined which state university will admit students to which faculties:

• Tbilisi State University: students will be admitted in exact and natural sciences; humanities (excluding pedagogy); law; economics and business administration; social and political sciences.

• Georgian Technical University: admissions will be for engineering and technical disciplines.

• Tbilisi State Medical University: admissions will focus on medical specialties.

• Ilia State University: admissions will focus on pedagogy programs and ABET-accredited STEM specialties.

• Sokhumi State University: admissions will focus on agricultural specialties, Georgian-Abkhaz language and literature, and pedagogy.

• Universities of Arts and Sports: students will be admitted to relevant programs.

• Batumi and Kutaisi Universities: will maintain a multi-functional structure.

• Universities in Zugdidi, Gori, Akhaltsikhe, and Telavi: emphasis will be on agricultural specialties, tourism, and pedagogy.

At this stage, according to the government-approved resolution, the agricultural programs temporarily remain under Georgian Technical University, meaning admissions will be conducted under its name. However, in the coming days, a reorganization process will begin, after which, within several months, the agricultural programs will move under the supervision of Sokhumi State University.

“Accordingly, in the 2026-2027 academic year, newly admitted students in the agricultural faculty will begin their studies at Sokhumi State University,” stated Givi Mikanadze at a briefing held at the Government Administration.