"I'm very thankful that have overcome every difficulty associated with the transitional period with dignity. We, on our side, will make every effort to ensure that the university enjoys more attention from the government," stated acting president Nino Burjanadze while meeting Tbilisi State University professors and lecturers.

On the initiative of the university professors and lecturers, at the meeting a special attention had been devoted to the issue of granting autonomy to the university. "Tbilisi State University has to be an independent and autonomous unit. When we had been adopting a law, obviously, we had taken into consideration the existing practice and the authority that the state university enjoys. I'm confident that the university will overcome the problems posed to it," said Nino Burjanadze.

The merger of certain faculties and the role of the Bologna Process as well as the financing of the university by the government had been discussed at the meeting.

The professors particularly underscored the importance of developing the Georgian studies and the government's active support in this effort.

Higher education in medicine had also been discussed at the meeting with a particular emphasis on the importance of having a university clinic on place. "We will make every effort not to allow the privatization of the university's therapeutic and diagnostic center," said Nino Burjanadze.

The importance of the government's support to the fundamental sciences was also discussed at the meeting. "Government representatives together with you should debate about key priorities and combine our intellectual potential and the country's capacity so that, ultimately, we get a correct result," noted Nino Burjanadze.

The existing situation in the country and ongoing processes, as well as Georgia-Russian relations and the resolution of conflicts on the Georgian territory were discussed at the acting president's meeting with the university professors and lecturers.

While speaking about the upcoming presidential elections, Nino Burjanadze noted that the government will make very effort to secure fair and transparent elections.

Acting president Burjanadze expressed her hope that similar meetings with the university professors and lecturers will also continue in the future.

Press Office
of the President of Georgia