An anniversary event dedicated to 40 years of mutual cooperation between Tbilisi State University and Saarland University was held at TSU. Academician Jaba Samushia, Rector of TSU, awarded Vice President of Saarland University, Professor Cornelius König, and Special Representative of the President of Saarland University for Partnership between TSU and Saarland University, Honorary Doctor of TSU, Prof. Dr. Dr. hc Tiziana J. Chiusi with Gold Medals of the University for their special contribution to the internationalization of Tbilisi State University. The event was attended by the Deputy Minister of Education and Science of Georgia, Nodar Papukashvili; the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Federal Republic of Germany, Ernst Peter Fischer; the Head of the DAAD Regional Office in Tbilisi, Gebhard Reul, professors, students and invited guests.

Jaba Samushia, rector of Tbilisi State University, spoke at the anniversary event about the history of cooperation between the two universities and the importance of the existing partnership relations. According to him, the mutual cooperation agreement between Tbilisi State University and Saarland University was signed in 1983, which provided for the exchange of professors and students, holding of lectures and seminars, and scientific cooperation. “The beginning of cooperation between our universities was a great development that paved the way for the most important relations. It was a kind of breakthrough in the Soviet period. Within the framework of this cooperation, our scientists and students had the opportunity to get acquainted with the experience of German universities. During this period, more than 400 scientists improved their qualifications at our partner university. This cooperation is very important for us and we will do our best to further deepen and develop this friendship”, said Jaba Samushia.

Special Representative of the President of Saarland University for Partnership between TSU and Saarland University, Honorary Doctor of TSU, Prof. Dr. Dr. hc Tiziana J. Chiusi noted that within the partnership between Tbilisi State University and Saarland University many generations have grown up, who are working in leading positions in the public and private sectors. She also noted that they are educating the next generation with European values, the generation that creates the European future. The professor said that it was a great honor for her to be awarded an honorary doctorate from TSU, feeling that her work and cooperation with the university is appreciated. “Receiving the Gold Medal from the University was unexpected, it means that my work is appreciated even more,” she added.

The mutual cooperation between Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University and Saarland University, together with other organizations and foundations, as well as with the support of the Eastern Partnership Program funded by the DAAD and the Erasmus+ Program funded by the European Commission, has been successfully implemented for 40 years.