FACULTY OF EXACT AND NATURAL SCIENCES
FACULTY OF HUMANITIES
FACULTY OF SOCIAL AND POLITICAL SCIENCES
FACULTY OF PSYCHOLOGY AND EDUCATIONAL SCIENCES
FACULTY OF ECONOMICS AND BUSINESS
FACULTY OF MEDICINE
FACULTY OF LAW
“When Tbilisi State University was founded, about 105 years ago, the first decree was issued by Ivane Javakhishvili and it was related to the establishment of the Abkhazian Center, which would take care of learning the Abkhaz and then the Ossetian languages. Tbilisi State University was not just a university then. It was the only European institution established in the country. Even today, we have a commitment to take care of Abkhazia, Abkhaz nation. Education is the main opportunity and means for it. Our future passes through Europe,” Rector of Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University, George Sharvashidze said at a meeting hosted by Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili at the presidential palace.
The meeting marked the 29th anniversary of the fall of Sokhumi on September 27, 1993 and it outlined important steps needed to restore friendly relations. The participants discussed current challenges and commemorated Georgian heroes who died in the war.
Rector Sharvashidze noted that Abkhazian culture faces a huge threat and its survival is possible only through restoring relations with Georgia. “Today, dialogue has no alternative. We must do our utmost to restore trust. National institutions, non-governmental organizations should be involved in restoring the relations. We should try as much as possible to involve our European friends in restoring this trust,” he said, adding that besides the fact that TSU scientists are actively working in the direction of the Abkhaz language and culture, the research center of Georgian-Abkhaz relations at TSU, Abkhaz language internet radio and student television are also working actively.
State Minister for Reconciliation and Civic Equality, Tea Akhvlediani, representatives of the government of the Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia, researchers and artists attended the event held at the Orbeliani palace. President Salome Zourabichvili awarded the Medal of Honor to Natia Todua, a Georgian singer from occupied Abkhazia, for her personal contribution to the development of modern Georgian musical art and its popularization abroad, as well as for her fruitful creative work.
