On October 29-30, 2021 East European University and Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University organized a two-day online international conference: The University Purpose and Institutional Autonomy: Challenges and Their Impact on Georgia.
Professor Shalva Machavariani, Vice-Rector for Scientific Affairs of East European University opened the online event. Dr. David Cherkezishvili (East European University); Dr. Giorgi Sharvashidze, Rector of Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University; Dr. Nunu Mitskevich, the Deputy Minister of Education and Science of Georgia and Dr. Tamar Makharashvili, Director of National Center for Educational Quality Enhancement Center of Georgia welcomed the conference participants.
The Rector of East European University, Dr. David Cherkezishvili, awarded Ronald Barnett, Emeritus Professor at University College London, an honorary doctorate, noting that his academic activity, collaboration and support are a significant contribution to the university.
The conference was moderated by
- Giorgi Tavadze, Head of the Varlam Cherkezishvili Center for Interdisciplinary Studies, East European University.
- Irma Grdzelidze, Head of Quality Assurance Service, Tbilisi State University.
Keynote speeches presented at the conference:
- Emeritus Professor Ronald Barnett (University College London, United Kingdom): Only Connect: Designing University Futures.
- Professor Peter Maassen (Oslo University, Norway): Higher Education Governance and Institutional Autonomy: Balancing academic, economic, organizational, socio-cultural and political objectives and realities.
Georgian education researchers presented papers together with education experts and specialists from the universities of Hong Kong, Gaziantep, Sorbonne, Azerbaijan, Rivne, Greenwich, London, Alicante, Oslo, Manchester, Nicosia and Middlesex.
The conference was also attended by the academic staff of Georgian higher education institutions, students and other field specialists.
The Question and Answer session was organized at the end of each presentation, and the participants discussed the problems of Georgian higher education in the context of international experience, directly related to the social, cultural, economic and political development of the country.
Conference agenda and more details are accessible at: https://conference.edu.ge/
