A protest is currently taking place at Ilia State University.

Students and faculty members of Ilia University are protesting the decisions made by the Ministry of Education regarding the allocation of quotas in state universities.

According to the participants, the government’s move effectively means the closure of the university and damage to other state universities.

They also stated that students are ready for a public discussion with the Prime Minister, Irakli Kobakhidze, and the Minister of Education and Science.

“Today, the ‘Georgian Dream’ party has taken the most anti-national step - it has abolished Ilia State University. It has harmed several state universities and insulted the symbol of unity and independence - Sokhumi University. They claim they are improving the quality of education, but how? TSU and Ilia State University are the two Georgian universities that appear in all international rankings. Closing Ilia University is supposedly improving the level of education - this is an illogical statement.

Irakli Kobakhidze is welcome at any time, in any format, but preferably live. We are ready to sit down with him. We are ready to meet with the so-called Minister of Education. We have many sharp questions, and neither of them will have answers,” said Ilia State University student Alexander Rigvava.

Student Alexander Rigvava emphasized that the protest will continue and that they do not intend to back down.

“We will not retreat. This is our identity. This is a university that has taught us a great deal, and we will not give it up. We intend to use every method of struggle to defend our university, the Georgian education system, and protect our national interests,” said Alexander Rigvava, a student at Ilia State University.