Mark Elliott, Vice-Chancellor of Harvard University: “Harvard is proud and happy to open this important program. Georgian civilization is one of the oldest in the world. It is at the crossroads of minds and civilizations. It is a privilege for us to introduce a curriculum about Georgia at Harvard, which will enable Georgian scholars and students to come to Harvard University. It is equally important that Harvard professors and students are able to learn about Georgia, travel and see this countryfor themselves.

I personally look forward to the opportunity to come to Georgia. I have had students from Georgia, but I have not been lucky to visit the beautiful country so far.

This is a historic day. This is a great day for Harvard itself and I am glad that Harvard is involved in this wonderful work. This is the only program in the field of Kartvelology in the United States of America."

Harvard University Vice-Rector Mark Elliott made the announcement at the inaugural event of the Kartvelology program. 

At the initiative of the Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Gharibashvili, with the financial efforts of the Government of Georgia, for the first time in the history of the United States, the program of Kartvelology will be launched at the Davis Center in Harvard University in February 2022. The program will help nurture a new generation of students who will become supporters and disseminators of research about Georgia, not only in the United States, but also in scientific and intellectual circles around the world.