The Rector of Tbilisi State University, Academician Jaba Samushia opened the event “Georgian Science Paving the Way to Europe.” He emphasized the significant contribution of the Academia Europaea Tbilisi Knowledge Hub to the development of Georgian scientific potential and to bringing Georgian science closer to international scientific institutions.

The Academia Europaea Tbilisi Knowledge Hub organized the event to inform the public about its completed projects, future plans, and new perspectives.

Rector Jaba Samushia expressed gratitude towards all members of the Academia Europaea Tbilisi Knowledge Hub for their valuable contributions to the development of Georgian science. According to him, the Academia Europaea Tbilisi Knowledge Hub is an important institution in the country. “This is a very strong network across Europe that brings together leading scientists. Expanding their activities further will allow us to participate in the common European scientific space. The cooperation that has begun within the framework of Academia Europaea’s activities will help the development of our science. The main goal of the Academia Europaea is for Georgian scientists to participate in many international projects,” Rector Samushia said.

Deputy Minister of Education, Science and Youth of Georgia, Nodar Papukashvili emphasized the importance of collaborating with international scientific institutions to realize Georgian scientific potential. He reiterated his readiness to support the activities of the Academia Europaea Tbilisi Knowledge Hub.

After Georgia was granted EU candidate status in 2023, the role of the Academia Europaea Tbilisi Knowledge Hub became even more crucial in internationalizing Georgian science and introducing international scientific standards in Georgia. Professor David Lortkipanidze, academic director of the Academia Europaea Tbilisi Knowledge Hub, Professor David Prangishvili, academic director of the Academia Europaea Tbilisi Knowledge Hub for 2019-2023, along with Professor Zaal Kokaia, chairman of the Scientific Council, discussed this matter.

“The Academia Europaea Tbilisi Knowledge Hub was established in 2019. Since the first day, Georgian members of the Academia Europaea have actively participated in its activities. Several significant scientific events have already taken place. Since November 2023, I have the honor to lead the organization and together with my colleagues, I will try to use the potential of the Academia Europaea to promote Georgian science,” said David Lortkipanidze, director general of the National Museum of Georgia, TSU professor and academic director of the Academia Europaea Tbilisi Knowledge Hub.

David Prangishvili, Honorary Professor of the Pasteur Institute, and invited lecturer of TSU, while summarizing the past period noted that “the establishment of the regional hub in Georgia in 2019 was an important political and academic development. Over the past years, the Tbilisi Knowledge Hub has implemented a number of events that have helped the Georgian scientific community to get closer to the European space of science, innovation and technology. I am sure that the Tbilisi Knowledge Hub will organize many interesting events in the future and will play an important role in promoting interdisciplinary and international high quality research. As a member of the Scientific Council, I will continue to actively participate in the development and implementation of the scientific program of the Tbilisi Knowledge Hub.”

Speaking about the future plans of the Tbilisi Knowledge Hub, Zaal Kokaia, Chairman of the Scientific Council of the Tbilisi Knowledge Hub, Professor at Lund University and Visiting Professor at TSU, emphasized the role and importance of Georgian scientists working abroad: “The Academia Europaea currently has 12 Georgian members, and all of them are leading scientists in their fields, and only half of them are engaged in scientific activities in Georgia, while the rest, including me, are associated with various leading institutions in the world. We will do our best to use our international contacts to facilitate the integration of young scientists into the international community,” said Professor Zaal Kokaia.

Following the keynote speeches, a panel discussion took place. The audience had the opportunity to ask the speakers questions and discuss specific issues.

The Academia Europaea Tbilisi Knowledge Hub was established in 2019 at the initiative of the Academia Europaea and Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University. It is funded by the Ministry of Education, Science and Youth of Georgia.