Georgia signs Memorandun of cooperation with San Diego University for improving young reserachers

Georgia: A Memorandum of cooperation has been signed between the Ministry of Education and Science of Georgia and San Diego State University. The documents were signed by the Minister of Education and Science of Georgia, Mikheil Chkhenkel and the President of San Diego State University, Adela de La Torre.

Memorandum provides for cooperation between parties in improving research potential in Georgia and growing competencies of young Georgian researchers.

At the signing ceremony, Mikheil Chchenkel addressed the public and talked about the importance of a memorandum signed with San Diego State University.

Mikheil Chkhenkeli: “I am glad that we are starting a new, important stage of partnership with San Diego State University – we have signed a memorandum of cooperation that will help strengthen Georgia’s research potential.”

Ensuring high-quality, inclusive education and universal access to research is one of the top priorities and ambitious goals of the Georgian government.

Consequently, the Unified National Strategy for Education and Science 2022-2030 attaches special importance to strengthening research activity. The Ministry’s policy vision is in full line with the international framework documents in the spheres of education, science, technology and innovation. Formulating a sustainable education system, improving the Research and Development (R&D) system, and increasing efficiency are among the top priorities of the strategy.

International cooperation plays an important role in achieving strategic goals in the spheres of education and science. In this regard, we have the great privilege – of having long and reliable American and European partners with whom we have many years of fruitful cooperation. We greatly appreciate the support.

A number of important activities have been undertaken with the development of the modern research and innovation (R&I) system and the growth of capacity for the research community in the country. Among them are especially notable – “Horizon 2020” and its subsequent program “Horizon Europe”, which Georgia has joined since 2021. This year, Georgia also became a plenary member of the European Association for Science and Technology Cooperation of COST. Important steps to strengthen the link between research and the private sector.

I especially want to highlight the mega-project of the Georgian education system Kutaisi International University (KIU), which represents international research and educational centre in the region. The university will receive its first influx of students in 2020. The goal of Kutaisi International University is to become the country’s first truly entrepreneurship-oriented school. The university has laid the foundation for the innovation ecosystem platform. One of the first steps in this direction was to establish an International Industry Advisory Council with education and business leaders from all over the world.

We will be glad to cooperate with San Diego State University for the further development of Kutaisi International University, Tbilisi State University, Ilia State University and Georgian Technical University In terms of research and development, technology exchange, start-ups and innovation ecosystem support.

Signing a memorandum with SDSU on improving the Georgian Research and Development (R&D) system is in full accordance with our strategic goals.

San Diego State University’s rich experience in working with businesses and building an innovative ecosystem will help us achieve tangible outcomes for the future.

I would like to thank San Diego State University President Adela De La Torres for her continued support and collaboration. We highly appreciate SDSU’s contribution to the development of human capital in Georgia. I am glad that our partnership is moving to a new stage, and we will continue fruitful cooperation in Georgia towards STEM.”

San Diego State University President Adela de la Torre thanked Mikheil Chchenkel for supporting and deepening cooperation between SDSU and Georgia.