At the Faculty of Mining and Geology of the Georgian Technical University (GTU) the Georgian-Austrian Engineering and Technology Center was opened with company’s support.

The official opening ceremony was attended by a delegation from the Austrian University of Mining (Montanuniversität Leoben), who visited Georgia specifically for the occasion, along with the Rector of GTU, professors and academic staff, representatives of RMG, and the Ambassador-designate of the Republic of Austria.

The Georgian-Austrian Engineering and Technology Center will serve as a platform for initiating and implementing joint exchange and research projects between GTU and the University of Leoben, as well as for fostering knowledge-sharing between Georgian and Austrian students in the fields of mining and geology.

A Memorandum of Cooperation was signed between the Georgian-Austrian Engineering and Technology Center, RMG, and the University of Leoben. The agreement aims to deepen the partnership established in 2020 and expand opportunities for future joint projects. Among these initiatives is the introduction of specialized short-term courses for the company’s engineering and technical personnel.

“It is very gratifying that the cooperation between RMG and the University of Leoben, which began with small steps, has developed into a significant and impactful partnership in recent years. I believe that with the signing of today’s memorandum, this relationship has reached an international level and connected us with one of the world’s leading mining universities. This is a great honor for us, highly important for our company, and another step forward in our ongoing commitment to supporting education.

I would like to thank all parties involved in this cooperation—especially the Rector of the Georgian Technical University, the professors, academic staff, and, of course, the students. Their support is a great source of motivation for us.” — Joni Shubitidze, General Director of RMG

“Within the framework of our cooperation with RMG, an important partner for us, we focus on two key directions. First, we aim to educate highly qualified engineers of international standard. Second, the existing scientific collaboration between our universities will significantly contribute to advancing knowledge in the mining sector, including both open-pit and underground mining, as well as mineral processing.” — Peter Moser, Rector of the University of Leoben

“The Georgian-Austrian Engineering and Technology Center will play an important role in strengthening both Georgian-Austrian and broader international educational and scientific cooperation. I am confident that the Center will create new opportunities for our students, young researchers, and representatives of the mining industry.

It is worth noting that the University of Leoben holds a special place in the history of Georgian engineering science. 115 years ago, the distinguished Georgian engineer and scientist, founder of the Georgian school of mining science, Grigol Tsulukidze, studied at this university. Today, we are witnessing the continuation of this historic connection: four students from our university are currently studying at the University of Leoben, demonstrating that Georgian-Austrian cooperation continues to grow and develop successfully.” — Davit Gurgenidze, Rector of the Georgian Technical University

On the second day of the visit, representatives of the University of Leoben visited RMG’s Bektakari underground mine, a project implemented using modern technologies. The delegation toured the facility and observed the production process on site.