Acting Rector of Tbilisi State University, Jaba Samushia spoke about the alignment with the standards of the EU-Georgia Association Agreement at a closing event of the accredited vocational training program “Laboratory Health and Safety.” The Acting Rector noted that it is important and necessary to introduce European quality services in the fields of healthcare, agriculture, and food industry. “This will promote Georgia’s EU integration, as well as the introduction of international standards in the country. For this to happen, it is necessary to have the appropriate infrastructure and technologies, as well as to train specialists equipped with the appropriate competence and knowledge. Thus, the implemented vocational program has made a huge contribution to the development of this field,” Jaba Samushia said and stressed the need to continue the project and involve South Georgia in it.
 

Four universities, including TSU, Batumi Shota Rustaveli State University, Akaki Tseretei State University (Kutaisi), and Iakob Gogebashvili Telavi State University were involved in the EU-supported project “Laboratory Health and Safety LLL Courses for Youth in West and East Georgia.” The purpose of the project was to introduce laboratory health and safety vocational training programs, as well as to promote the employment of graduates through close cooperation with the State Employment Support Agency.
 

At the preparatory stage of the project, training courses for trainers were successfully implemented, a Georgian-language manual was created, and educational laboratories equipped with modern equipment were arranged at the universities. Vocational training programs in laboratory health and safety presented by all four universities successfully passed the process of obtaining the right to be implemented at the National Center for Educational Quality Enhancement and received a state-recognized accreditation.
 

“Laboratory health is a very important field. Unfortunately, Georgia faces a shortage of qualified specialists in this field. The project will enable us to fill the vacuum in the labor market. The TSU Vocational Education Center has contributed to the development and accreditation of this program, we obtained the right to implement the program, and those applicants and attendees who complete the program receive a certificate recognized by the state. Graduates of this program are already in great demand both in the state and private sectors,” Director of the TSU Vocational Education Center, Kakha Cheishvili said.
 

The event was attended by about 100 representatives of various organizations, including the EU Delegation to Georgia, the Ministry of Education and Science of Georgia, the National Center for Educational Quality Enhancement, project implementing organizations, beneficiary regional universities, the State Employment Support Agency, the Skills Agency, non-governmental organizations, employers, etc. At the meeting, the project team briefed the guests on the work performed and the achieved results.
 

“The program helps not only new graduates who are seeking a job in the field of laboratory services, but also those who are already involved in various laboratory works, including food, health and agriculture spheres. Within the framework of the project, demo labs equipped with modern technologies were created; in addition, a manual was prepared. Most importantly, a base was created so that after the completion of the project, the retrained trainers, who represent the academic staff of Tbilisi State University and invited teachers, are ready to continue the program. This is very important for the sustainability of the program,” TSU Professor, Project Coordinator Nino Inasaridze noted.
 

Graduates of the program shared their experiences and impressions at the event. A panel discussion was held between the participants and employers, where they discussed the cooperation opportunities to achieve a common goal - to support the development of professional skills in response to the employment market needs and modern challenges. “I think, knowledge of laboratory health and safety is mandatory for those involved in the laboratory activities. This issue was highlighted during the pandemic. The course helped me gain a huge experience, both theoretically and practically. The course deserves great approval and trust from employers as well,” Mariam Gogiberidze, a student of the Laboratory Health and Safety program, said.