The Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport of Georgia, Mikheil Chkhenkeli hosted the British Ambassador to Georgia, Mark Clayton and discussed the ongoing projects in the education system and opportunities for expanding the existing cooperation.

Mikheil Chkhenkeli thanked the Ambassador for several important and fruitful projects in the field of education and noted that the strengthening of relations between the two countries in the field of education and culture is particularly facilitated by the British Council in Georgia.

During the meeting, the parties shared their countries' experience in ensuring a continuous education process in light of Covid-19 pandemic.

Mikheil Chkhenkeli emphasized the main goal of the Ministry is the internationalization of general, higher, and vocational education and the creation of competitive personnel worldwide. An example of fruitful cooperation in the field of vocational education is illustrated by the Memorandum of Understanding between the UK State Vocational School "Portsmouth College" and the Batumi State Maritime Academy, under which a number of joint projects and exchange programs will be implemented.

Moreover, according to the Minister, two world-class mega-projects - Kutaisi International University and Hadron Therapy Center - are an important step towards the internationalization of the higher education system in the country. Notably, Kutaisi International University offers educational programs created in collaboration with the Technical University of Munich, and in the coming years, more educational programs, based on the academic curriculum of the world’s leading universities will be introduced. Additionally, lectures at the university are read by foreign professors together with their Georgian counterparts.

Furthermore, according to the Minister, Kutaisi International University is ready to implement joint scientific projects with other British universities.

The Minister emphasized that the author of the idea and the entire concept of Kutaisi International University belongs Mr. Bidzina Ivanishvili. As a result of his and his family's extremely important philanthropy, a worldwide academic space has emerged to fully realize the potential of young people in the country.

Additionally, the Minister highlighted, that particular importance is given to the scientific-research aspect at Kutaisi International University. The project is fully funded and implemented by the International Charity Fund "Cartu". The Hadron Therapy Center will be established on the university premises, that will house two cyclotron-type accelerators, which are currently being manufactured by the world's leading manufacturer of cancer proton therapy equipment - IBA. One of the cyclotrons will be used to treat tumors with ultra-modern methods, whereas another one will be fully utilized for scientific research process in nuclear experimental physics, radiation biophysics and chemistry. Also, a proton therapy clinic will be founded, where oncological diseases will be treated with modern methods. It is planned that Georgia will join the international network of proton therapy centers.

Notably, the sides also discussed the prospects of deepening cooperation in the field of culture and sports. For his part, Mark Clayton expressed readiness to expand the existing collaboration.

The meeting was attended by the Director General of the British Council in Georgia, Zaza Purtseladze.